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
On Friday, after the United States’ 2-0 win over Australia, the Seattle stadium of nearly 67,000 attendees broke out into a booming rendition of the song.
—
Monica Alba,
NBC news,
24 June 2026
For The Times) When the Boyle Heights fire broke out, Mayor Karen Bass was on her way to the dedication of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Bass said a reason for Crowley's removal was her failure to pre-deploy firefighters the morning that the fire broke out.
—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Violence again broke out in Lebanon Tuesday.
—
Munir Ahmed,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
That fits well with guard Keyonte George, who broke out last season and had his best year as a professional.
—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
The gunfire broke out Saturday during the Old West End Festival in Toledo at a park filled with tents, music and food trucks in a neighborhood dotted with Victorian homes.
—
ABC News,
17 June 2026
While a bus was lit on fire in Belfast, a police car in the town of Portadown was set ablaze as sporadic pockets of disorder broke out into other parts of Northern Ireland.
—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
10 June 2026
When the Dump Fire broke out in 2012 near a landfill in Saratoga Springs, Utah, city officials and community members were quick to protest the name.
—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Monica Alba,
NBC news,
24 June 2026
For The Times) When the Boyle Heights fire broke out, Mayor Karen Bass was on her way to the dedication of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Bass said a reason for Crowley's removal was her failure to pre-deploy firefighters the morning that the fire broke out.
—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Violence again broke out in Lebanon Tuesday.
—
Munir Ahmed,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
That fits well with guard Keyonte George, who broke out last season and had his best year as a professional.
—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
The gunfire broke out Saturday during the Old West End Festival in Toledo at a park filled with tents, music and food trucks in a neighborhood dotted with Victorian homes.
—
ABC News,
17 June 2026
While a bus was lit on fire in Belfast, a police car in the town of Portadown was set ablaze as sporadic pockets of disorder broke out into other parts of Northern Ireland.
—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
10 June 2026
When the Dump Fire broke out in 2012 near a landfill in Saratoga Springs, Utah, city officials and community members were quick to protest the name.
—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out
Verb
-
The current unrest first erupted in May after Paz cut long-standing fuel subsidies to shrink the deficit.
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Some protesters also erupted into boos, according to a video published by The Sun.
Verb
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Hakan Akgun / Anadolu via Getty Images The Houston stadium exploded with thundering applause, fans in blue jerseys and cheeks painted with the Cape Verdean flag cheering with joy.
-
Demand for skywatching optics exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, with people staying at home more and looking for outdoor hobbies.
Cite this Entry
“Broke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20out. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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