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
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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
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Recent Examples of break out
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
Ripples of cheers broke out on Monday when different sections of the crowd realised Maddison started warming up on the touchline.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Chemical sunscreens, which contain ingredients like octisalate, octocrylene, and avobenzone, can sometimes cause breakouts and irritation of acne-prone skin.
—Abby Dupes, StyleCaster, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Verb
Gunfire broke out inside the Philippine Senate as authorities attempted to arrest a senator accused of crimes against humanity linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drugs crackdown.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
Ripples of cheers broke out on Monday when different sections of the crowd realised Maddison started warming up on the touchline.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Noun
Teddy really got that this season by doing these breakout surgeries and finding her own voice.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Chemical sunscreens, which contain ingredients like octisalate, octocrylene, and avobenzone, can sometimes cause breakouts and irritation of acne-prone skin.
—Abby Dupes, StyleCaster, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
-
For a long time, scientists presumed that the intense pressure and toxic compounds that erupt from Earth’s crust through hydrothermal vents would make these structures and the water around them incompatible with life.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
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But when the Gaga music started playing, the crowd erupted with the kind of hysteria once reserved for Beatlemania.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The verticality also plays with audience expectations about escape and survival.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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Now, New Yorkers and Philadelphians looking for a city escape are also joining the guest pool.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Noun
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More than twelve thousand people whose trips had already been scheduled had their flights cancelled.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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An American Airlines flight from Miami landed at Chicago's O'Hare Airport with two flat tires.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Spain’s major talent is exploding on the international stage, both in film and TV.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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Courtesy Cambridge Health Alliance Few studies have rigorously examined how OpenEvidence affects patient outcomes, largely due to how recently the tool has exploded in popularity.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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