as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently
in the wake of news reports of deaths from the flu, panic broke out, and there was a mad rush for flu shots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
the captives had been planning to stage a breakout at the next change in shift for the guards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of break out
Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Protests have broken out decrying not just the wedding but tourism in general ruining the City of Canals.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 June 2025
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 19 June 2025
As Lou Christie, his breakout hit came with the 1962 single ‘The Gypsy Cried’, which reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break out
Verb
Here are five effective ways to break out of your workplace rut and bring energy back to your daily grind.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Protests have broken out decrying not just the wedding but tourism in general ruining the City of Canals.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 June 2025
Noun
Other times, a cocktail of regional relevance and audience connection can lead to a breakout.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 19 June 2025
As Lou Christie, his breakout hit came with the 1962 single ‘The Gypsy Cried’, which reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
-
The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists.—
David Rising,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
-
When their faces appear on the billboard, which towers above the Disney Store, the crowd erupts.—
Avery Stone,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Authorities have arrested at least 16 people who are accused of aiding the escape of the inmates.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
-
Sheriff Susan Hutson, whose department operates the jail and has faced intense scrutiny over the escapes, personally received the tip Friday morning that led to the arrest.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
The 30,000-pound bombs burrow deep into the earth before exploding.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
-
The number of craft breweries exploded from around 1,500 to over 5,000.—
Joe Chura,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Two months earlier, Starship’s eighth flight test ended in another rocket explosion, which led planes to be grounded at several Florida airports.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
People.com,
19 June 2025
-
That loss was its third consecutive setback after flights in January and March were cut short just minutes after takeoff when the spacecraft exploded over the Gulf of Mexico, sending debris raining down from the sky and disrupting air travel.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share