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
Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The fire broke out for a short time before burning out by itself, police said, adding that no one was injured.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Maria Nenet Barrios, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Garcia was a breakout star with the Royals in 2025.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Verb
Associated Press images showed smoke rising over the embassy compound in the Iraqi capital and a fire in the UAE’s Fujairah port that broke out after what authorities said was a drone interception.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The fire broke out for a short time before burning out by itself, police said, adding that no one was injured.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
Their breakout release, PAPOTA, exemplified their irreverent charm.
—Maria Nenet Barrios, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Garcia was a breakout star with the Royals in 2025.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
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The loudest moment of the night came at the 12-minute mark when Purdue’s bench and its huge contingent of yellow and black clad fans erupted as senior point guard Braden Smith made history with his 1,077th career assist, breaking the 33-year-old NCAA record set in 1993 by Duke’s Bobby Hurley.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Mar. 2026
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Munyak's magic moment LIU's last basket of the night was special for the Sharks and their fans, who all erupted in cheers when Eddie Munyak banked in a 3-pointer with 53 seconds left.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Madison has extensive strains of DNA from Redford’s adaptation of The Horse Whisperer, with its emphasis on a rural escape as the ultimate salve for psychic wounds, but also Ordinary People, a film about the impact of grief on the family unit.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
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In 2007, a Syrian journalism student arrived in Damascus for an exam with a secret escape plan.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Beyond extending flight time, the shift to hydrogen leverages the laws of physics to improve drone reliability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
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The watchmaker has just unveiled an all-new Navitimer that pays homage to the world’s only commercial supersonic jet (at least, so far), just in time for the 50th anniversary of the aircraft’s first flight.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Costs have exploded since the end of February upon the launch of Operation Epic Fury, the joint military strikes with Israel against Iran.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
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Characters will die and the entire lab sometimes explodes, only for things to snap back to normal in the very next episode.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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