Synonyms of break out

break out 1 of 2

verb

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

• erupt
• burst (forth)
• explode
• flare (up)
• blaze (up)
• flame
• swell
• mount
• rocket
• skyrocket
• touch off
• proliferate
• multiply
• wax
• detonate
• mushroom
• snowball
• blow up
• balloon
• burgeon

breakout

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌau̇t 

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

• escape
• flight
• break
• rout
• getaway
• bunk
• rescue
• slip
• liberation
• lam
• redemption
• release
• salvation
• deliverance
• jailbreak
• close call
• close shave
• near miss

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confinement
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• captivity
• retention
• holding
• custody
• risk
• detention
• trouble
• hold
• internment
• hazard
• jeopardy
• immurement
• peril
• imperilment
• endangerment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of break out

Verb

Two people are dead and at least one more is injured after a shooting broke out between two parties at Fairlane Town Center mall in Dearborn, Michigan, on Friday, police said. — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Harpring says the city is using smaller fireworks than in previous years and has added additional staff to assist with safety, a decision made after a 10-acre fire broke out in the city earlier this year. — Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Noun

Maura Higgins, breakout star of The Traitors, grabbed her best tennis whites to ace the style assignment at Wimbledon 2026. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 1 July 2026

Stacking a chemical peel, a retinoid, a new brow lamination kit and an exfoliating body wash in the same week is how irritation, breakouts and chemical burns happen. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026