as in erupting
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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Recent Examples of breaking out
So my face started breaking out, my stomach was hurting.
—
Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
In Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, where celebrations have been breaking out after the news, Kahn spoke to Dani Miran, the father of Omri, a hostage being held in Gaza.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
There is, to United’s dismay, a definite trend of players breaking out of Old Trafford and finding a new lease of life.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Cuban officials on Friday said that Joanne Chesimard, who was convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper, has died in Havana decades after breaking out of prison and escaping to the communist island.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Raised in New York, Donnelly immersed herself in musical theater from a young age before breaking out on screen in Zombies and later starring in ABC's American Housewife.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
The Cavaliers are breaking out navy blue throwbacks.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Without breaking out of the Vulcan mode, Oswalt nicely conveys the character’s unlikely charisma.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
White was a bit of a disappointment over his first four years in the league, actually showing some clear signs of regression in 2021-22 and 2022-23 before finally breaking out a couple of seasons ago.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
In Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, where celebrations have been breaking out after the news, Kahn spoke to Dani Miran, the father of Omri, a hostage being held in Gaza.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
There is, to United’s dismay, a definite trend of players breaking out of Old Trafford and finding a new lease of life.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Cuban officials on Friday said that Joanne Chesimard, who was convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper, has died in Havana decades after breaking out of prison and escaping to the communist island.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Raised in New York, Donnelly immersed herself in musical theater from a young age before breaking out on screen in Zombies and later starring in ABC's American Housewife.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
The Cavaliers are breaking out navy blue throwbacks.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Without breaking out of the Vulcan mode, Oswalt nicely conveys the character’s unlikely charisma.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
White was a bit of a disappointment over his first four years in the league, actually showing some clear signs of regression in 2021-22 and 2022-23 before finally breaking out a couple of seasons ago.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking out
Verb
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Thunderstorms erupting in the South and Midwest to kick off the weekend could turn severe and produce dangerous winds, a few tornadoes and heavy rain.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
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Imposing international security guarantees to prevent a new war from erupting.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, former Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle combined for 239 total yards for the Panthers (183 rushing, 56 receiving) a week after exploding for 234 total yards (206 rushing, 28 receiving) in a win over Miami.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
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The suits are never mentioned again, even as Robinson tells elaborate stories about TK Jewelers selling him an exploding watch and L&L Limos using a black piece of plywood to divide the car in half and sell the back of his limo to a guy with a Super Bowl ring.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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