breaks out

present tense third-person singular of break out
as in erupts
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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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 breaks out At times, yes, when a football match breaks out between all of those stoppages. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 Continue reading … POLITICS SENATE SHOWDOWN – Yelling match breaks out in Senate hearing with former Biden official over ‘two spirit’ safe spaces. FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025 Packing a tent, space blanket, tarp and bivy can help you be prepared if severe weather breaks out or your plan takes a turn. Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks out
Verb
  • These outbursts send radiation and charged particles hurling into space and can disrupt communications on Earth if the flare erupts from an Earth-facing sunspot.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The volcano is located on the eastern coast of Sicily and erupts almost continuously, according to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Her scenes with Shannon as Garfield are lovely, but at another point in Death by Lightning, Gilpin's character explodes into a whole new gear, altering the course of history along the way.
    David Bianculli, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.
    Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Breaks out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20out. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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