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
An internal affairs investigation has been launched after San Diego police clashed with several people in the Gaslamp Quarter early Sunday, deploying Tasers and pepper spray as violent fights broke out amid a large crowd, police officials said.
—
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
After taking a bite of the sandwich his wife left for him, Eric Richins broke out in hives, injected himself with his son’s EpiPen, drank a bottle of Benadryl and passed out, prosecutors said.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
But in the top of the seventh, Raleigh finally broke out of his slump, singling to center field.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
More than two dozen residents were displaced after a two-alarm fire broke out in an apartment building in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood overnight.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 13 May 2026
But since the war with Iran broke out, Serrato's need to hear his voice was also driven by worry.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 13 May 2026
Hundreds of vessels and thousands of mariners are still stranded in and around the strait, where traffic had flowed freely for decades before the Iran war broke out.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 6 May 2026
When the Persian Gulf War broke out in 1990, the importance of a 24-hour news channel became clear.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
On April 1st, Muir Burgos was moved to Canaleta, an adult prison, where a violent riot broke out in February, driven by food shortages, lack of medical care and abuse.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
After taking a bite of the sandwich his wife left for him, Eric Richins broke out in hives, injected himself with his son’s EpiPen, drank a bottle of Benadryl and passed out, prosecutors said.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
But in the top of the seventh, Raleigh finally broke out of his slump, singling to center field.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
More than two dozen residents were displaced after a two-alarm fire broke out in an apartment building in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood overnight.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 13 May 2026
But since the war with Iran broke out, Serrato's need to hear his voice was also driven by worry.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 13 May 2026
Hundreds of vessels and thousands of mariners are still stranded in and around the strait, where traffic had flowed freely for decades before the Iran war broke out.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 6 May 2026
When the Persian Gulf War broke out in 1990, the importance of a 24-hour news channel became clear.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
On April 1st, Muir Burgos was moved to Canaleta, an adult prison, where a violent riot broke out in February, driven by food shortages, lack of medical care and abuse.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out
Verb
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The slain hikers were among 20 who set out to ascend the 1,355-meter (4,445-foot) volcano in defiance of safety restrictions and became stranded when Dukono erupted early Friday, spewing a thick ash column that rose about 10 kilometers (6 miles) into the air.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
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The dead were among 20 hikers who set out to ascend the 4,445-foot volcano in defiance of safety restrictions and became stranded when Dukono erupted early Friday, spewing a thick ash column that rose about 6 miles into the air.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Though the use of AI has exploded since ChatGPT was released in 2022, the rise in productivity over the past five years likely cannot be fully attributed to AI.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
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The fire then spread to a nearby dust silo, which exploded.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20out. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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