Thesaurus results for BREAKING OUT

breaking out

verb

present participle of break out

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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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 breaking out Frustration is boiling over, and fights are breaking out between people struggling to buy rationed supplies of gasoline. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 June 2026 Toph escapes the clutches of her mother — who poisoned and kidnapped her — by revealing her earthbending powers, breaking out of the metal cage to rejoin Team Avatar. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Born in 1958 in working-class New Cross, South London, Oldman came up through British theater before breaking out in the 1980s playing dangerous, damaged men, from Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy to playwright Joe Orton in Prick Up Your Ears. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 Raleigh snapped the longest hitless streak in the major leagues during the team’s 10-2 win over the Astors on Tuesday, breaking out of an 0-38 slump with a pair of singles. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 Rookies were instructed through stretches and warmups before breaking out into positional drills during the media-viewing portion of rookie minicamp. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026 Height turned 25 two weeks ago after playing six seasons at four schools, finally breaking out with the Red Raiders in 2025. — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Perry sat behind upperclassmen for two seasons, before breaking out as a junior and leading the Wolverines to two state championships. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026 Survival of the mid-major programs depends on breaking out and forming their own conglomeration. — Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking out

Verb

The ball in the net, the goalkeeper reacting, fans erupting in the background, and Messi already turning away with his arms raised.

— Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Every four years, some of the most iconic sporting videos that go viral on social media capture the sound of cities erupting in jubilation as their national soccer teams score a goal in the FIFA World Cup.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026

Definition of erupting

Verb

While Schitt’s Creek was completely overlooked by Emmy voters for its first four seasons, landing its first four nominations in 2019 for Season 5 before exploding with 15 noms the following year, Hacks has been an Emmy darling from the start.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 July 2026
Plenty of cosmic wonders are expected to be revealed by the telescope, including thousands of previously unseen asteroids, exploding supernova stars and millions of distant galaxies.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 July 2026