Synonyms of break out

break out 1 of 2

verb

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

• erupt
• burst (forth)
• explode
• flare (up)
• blaze (up)
• flame
• swell
• mount
• rocket
• skyrocket
• touch off
• proliferate
• multiply
• wax
• detonate
• mushroom
• snowball
• blow up
• balloon
• burgeon

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• escape
• flight
• break
• rout
• getaway
• bunk
• rescue
• slip
• liberation
• lam
• redemption
• release
• salvation
• deliverance
• jailbreak
• close call
• close shave
• near miss

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confinement
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• captivity
• retention
• holding
• custody
• risk
• detention
• trouble
• hold
• internment
• hazard
• jeopardy
• immurement
• peril
• imperilment
• endangerment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of break out

Verb

In the decade after Yemen’s civil war broke out in 2014, its effects reverberated into Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and finally the Red Sea. — April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Attacks on oil tankers in the Middle East pushed global crude prices above $105 a barrel as of Thursday, which amounted to a rise of about 50% since the Iran war broke out in late February. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

Roundhill Investments, whose DRAM ETF has been a breakout star this year with close to $25 billion in assets, is planning to get in on the trade as well, through its CCML ETF, also currently in registration with the SEC. — Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026

The 19-year-old center back enjoyed a breakout performance at the Women’s AFCON tournament. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026