break out 1 of 2

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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breakout

2 of 2

noun

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
Sold by MoreThan Films, a buzz title at September Venice Days, now breaking out abroad. John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025 The shooting occurred after a fight broke out in the hospital room. Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Hailing from writer-director Niki Byrne, The Julia Set has One Battle After Another breakout Infiniti playing Julia, a talented mathematician in a fiercely competitive academic environment. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025 Returning for their festival’s 32nd edition from February 19-25, 2026, the bold voices behind Slamdance continue to tell a cutting-edge story by honoring breakout talents who could redefine the film and TV business, too. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
  • As Varsho trotted, the Rogers Centre erupted – and the fans kept partying on the club level well past midnight.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Content creators now use it for just about anything and its appearance often sparks raucous reactions, like in September when a crowd erupted in cheers after an In-N-Out employee called out order number 67.
    Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Experts and travel blogs often highlight Anguilla as a remote, exclusive escape free of shopping malls, cruise ships and high-rises where travelers can soak up crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches and fresh seafood feasts.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Make sure your pothos is planted in a pot with plenty of drainage holes to let any excess water escape.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Blue Jays didn’t need Ohtani on Friday, when their offense exploded for nine runs in the sixth inning.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • During the high-speed chase, the two men were forced off the road, where their car exploded in a fiery crash, killing them both, the BBC reports.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In orchestrating the flight, Hamida refashions the sequence of events in her own abduction.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • More than 735,000 people were evacuated in Cuba as Melissa approached, according to President Miguel Díaz-Canel, while in the Bahamas, preliminary estimates show 1,485 residents were evacuated before all flights were suspended ahead of the approaching storm.
    Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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