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 Since breaking out in the tween-friendly Twilight saga twenty years ago, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have each transformed themselves into Hollywood’s most arthouse-friendly weirdos. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026 The dispute led to a fight breaking out, during which police allege 47-year-old Victor Rivera Hartford stabbed Tellado. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 But there’s a universal element that all young adult actors must contend with — breaking out of the space. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026 Another warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries was also attacked to the east of Moscow, Vorobyov said, with a fire breaking out at the facility. — David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 Elevated energy prices in the wake of the Middle East conflict breaking out months ago have raised concerns about inflationary pressures, though the latest batch of mild inflation data has offered some reassurance to investors. — Sean Conlon,hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026 After celebrating, a video posted by BBC Sport showed the Belgian squad huddling together to bask in their victory, before breaking out into dance. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 Frustration is boiling over, and fights are breaking out between people struggling to buy rationed supplies of gasoline. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking out

Verb

There will be body parts severed, much (blue) blood spilled, and extreme violence erupting in every corner of the Zellners’ brutalist designs and impressively immersive world-building that needs to be seen to be believed.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
Screenshot of mobile phone footage of the Anak Krakatau volcano erupting, seen from the sea.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026