BREAKOUT Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

break out 1 of 2

verb

Definition of break out

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

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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

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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 break out

Verb

The news comes mere days after rival OpenAI revealed that an autonomous AI agent had broken out of its sandbox to engage in a multi-day intrusion of the AI community platform Hugging Face. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 31 July 2026 Jeremy Latcham, who executive produced the early Avengers movies for Marvel before breaking out on his own in 2017, is producing the project. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026

Noun

The Costume Institute has the world’s largest holdings of the designer’s work, including examples from his breakout from his 1984 landmark graduation collection at Central Saint Martins in London. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 As the cinematic universe grew, the next step saw breakout Oscar winners like Brie Larson and Mahershala Ali capitalizing off the momentum of Academy Award wins by accepting the roles of Captain Marvel and Blade, respectively. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for break out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out

Verb

Now, both veterans and newcomers will be able to experience the struggle humanity faced as a new conflict erupted.

— Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
After gunfire erupted at the popular Bite of Seattle food festival last weekend, those same people are helping to organize his funeral.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of erupt

Noun

If a third-party bug let your model escape, the story is that OpenAI shipped an eval without a fence while sitting on some of the most capable models on earth, and did not use them to audit your own dependencies.

— Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
In recent years, Afrofuturism, as Brent Staples noted in The New York Times, has grown considerably, aiming to write African Americans into a fantastical future built on salvation, tribulation, and futuristic escape.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

That’s because computer science, then seen as a golden ticket to a high-paying job, was exploding in popularity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
That concept became the foundation for Comfrt, the loungewear brand that would later explode across social media, and extend into products like blankets, backpacks, and pet apparel.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of explode

Noun

None of the hundreds of people on board the two flights were injured, but the FAA is investigating.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Premiering in May 2027, the film will profile its namesake, the controversial aviator who helmed the first uninterrupted solo flight across the Atlantic.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Definition of flight

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break off (with)

break out

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“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of break out

verb

noun

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