as in erupted
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
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Recent Examples of broke out
The decision is the latest step taken by Lebanon's government against Iran after the most recent Israel-Hezbollah war broke out on March 2, during which Israel's military killed several members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard in strikes around the long-suffering country.
—
Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
The bulk of lobbying contracts filed after the war broke out involve small- and medium-sized companies; however, some household names have gotten in on the rush as well.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
On a Saturday afternoon just before closing, fire broke out.
—Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi has argued that recession odds were near even—before war broke out.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
An investment boom in artificial intelligence has kept China’s trade volumes on a path to exceed last year’s record levels, offsetting disruptions from higher oil prices in the weeks after war broke out in Iran.
—Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
One person who was home when the fire broke out had gotten out of the residence before firefighters arrived, according to fire officials.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Netanyahu, 76, has made few pre-announced public appearances since the war broke out, with Iran having vowed to target him personally in retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
Since the war broke out, Iran has launched over 1,900 missiles and drones toward the UAE, according to the country’s defense ministry, with Dubai bearing the brunt of these.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026
Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
The bulk of lobbying contracts filed after the war broke out involve small- and medium-sized companies; however, some household names have gotten in on the rush as well.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
On a Saturday afternoon just before closing, fire broke out.
—Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi has argued that recession odds were near even—before war broke out.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
An investment boom in artificial intelligence has kept China’s trade volumes on a path to exceed last year’s record levels, offsetting disruptions from higher oil prices in the weeks after war broke out in Iran.
—Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
One person who was home when the fire broke out had gotten out of the residence before firefighters arrived, according to fire officials.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Netanyahu, 76, has made few pre-announced public appearances since the war broke out, with Iran having vowed to target him personally in retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
Since the war broke out, Iran has launched over 1,900 missiles and drones toward the UAE, according to the country’s defense ministry, with Dubai bearing the brunt of these.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out
Verb
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The Arlington Grace Prep Lions erupted for five runs in the bottom of the first inning, cruising to a 9-2 victory over New Braunfels Allegiance in a non-district high school baseball contest Friday at the campus of Colleyville Covenant Christian.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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The now monthlong war erupted after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, which retaliated with strikes against Israel and neighboring gulf Arab states.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The event Moskovitz is referring to occurred on March 21, when a 1-ton, 3-foot-wide meteor exploded over Texas, with a cannonball-sized fragment crashing through the roof of a house in Bammel, near Cypress Station, north of Houston, Texas.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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Oxygen cylinders in the vehicles exploded, breaking windows in an adjacent apartment block.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20out. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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