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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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break out
Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
According to Volkert, state officials organized an informational campaign late last year after fire departments across the state saw a number of fires break out involving fireplace ashes that were disposed of unsafely.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
This gentle yet effective face wash combines the clarifying power of tea tree oil with salicylic acid to keep breakouts at bay without stripping your skin.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Verb
The audience also spontaneously broke out into just such a chant between songs.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
According to Volkert, state officials organized an informational campaign late last year after fire departments across the state saw a number of fires break out involving fireplace ashes that were disposed of unsafely.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
Decoding the reasons A potential breakout of World War cannot be ruled out in the present, with multiple countries going at loggerheads over various issues.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
This gentle yet effective face wash combines the clarifying power of tea tree oil with salicylic acid to keep breakouts at bay without stripping your skin.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
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Los Angeles police arrested multiple violent agitators after issuing dispersal orders as protests erupted across the city Friday evening.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Two elderly women were killed in two fatal fires in Brooklyn and Queens that erupted within two hours, FDNY officials said Friday.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At the time of the escape, the kangaroo was carrying her baby, known as a joey.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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Just two hours from Manhattan—and easily accessible via Amtrak—Hudson makes an easy weekend escape for travelers short on time.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As well as cheeky possums and young kestrels readying to make their first flight, this year’s gallery also includes images that ask bigger questions about the human impact on the planet.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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But leakage at the tail service mast umbilical, a problem during the first Artemis flight in 2022, cropped up again the second time around.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It's now been 40 years since New Hampshire school teacher Christa McAuliffe died when the space shuttle Challenger exploded.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Just more than a minute after ignition, the ruptured booster caused the shuttle’s giant external fuel tank to explode, tearing the vehicle to pieces over the ocean and dooming all seven astronauts.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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