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
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
However, Johnson said, police were unprepared to sustain a response on foot as multiple fights broke out in different areas of the festival Saturday night.
—Ilana Arougheti
june 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Witnesses said the fight broke out after Metcalf asked Anthony to move from under the Memorial team tent.
—Star-Telegram Staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 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
The actor broke out with roles in both populist projects (Red, White and Royal Blue) and prestige fare (Mary & George).
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
Heated Rivalry, about a pair of hockey rivals who are secretly lovers, broke out over the 2025 festive period and has become one of the most-talked about TV shows out there.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 June 2026
Scouts did say some of the same things (low effort, low pace, soft big man with skill) about Dean Letourneau, who ultimately went in the first round and broke out as a sophomore at BC this year (though Letourneau is a better athlete and taller).
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Authorities said 47 people were in the building when the fire broke out, and police confirmed that at least 21 people, including 17 foreign nationals from African and central Asian nations, had died.
—Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 10 June 2026
However, Johnson said, police were unprepared to sustain a response on foot as multiple fights broke out in different areas of the festival Saturday night.
—Ilana Arougheti
june 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Witnesses said the fight broke out after Metcalf asked Anthony to move from under the Memorial team tent.
—Star-Telegram Staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 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
The actor broke out with roles in both populist projects (Red, White and Royal Blue) and prestige fare (Mary & George).
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
Heated Rivalry, about a pair of hockey rivals who are secretly lovers, broke out over the 2025 festive period and has become one of the most-talked about TV shows out there.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 June 2026
Scouts did say some of the same things (low effort, low pace, soft big man with skill) about Dean Letourneau, who ultimately went in the first round and broke out as a sophomore at BC this year (though Letourneau is a better athlete and taller).
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Authorities said 47 people were in the building when the fire broke out, and police confirmed that at least 21 people, including 17 foreign nationals from African and central Asian nations, had died.
—Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out
Verb
-
Refs opted to disregard the blatant flagrant foul and the usually stoic Brunson erupted, chasing after the officials before turning on his heel in a fury and returning to the bench.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Subway cars erupted in cheers as fans peeped the winning shot on their cellphones, their feeds interrupted at times by spotty underground reception.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The single exploded in popularity following Base’s passing, years after DJ EZ Rock’s death.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Well, the mayhem that exploded after the game showed that the cops were right.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20out. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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