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
This is believed to be the first time NATO forces have intercepted an Iranian missile traveling towards a member country’s airspace since the conflict in the Middle East broke out over the weekend.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
The California Highway Patrol was trying to serve a high-risk search warrant at Mahany Park in connection with a freeway shooting in Sacramento County when the gunfire broke out.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The Foreign Office said more than 130,000 British nationals in the Middle East have registered their presence with the government since the conflict broke out, though not all are trying to leave.
—Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Fox broke out on the big screen in the Safdie Brothers’ A24 hit noir Uncut Gems opposite Adam Sandler.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
With 5 minutes, 39 seconds left in a second-round game, a brawl broke out between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
His six year old cousin opened the door and broke out in pure glee, rushing back to call for his mother.
—Yousra Elbagir, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
However, fighting broke out again in December 2025, and 100 people were reported dead before another ceasefire was reached.
—Abc News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Nataliia Sukhar left her home in northeastern Kharkiv after the war broke out, catching a 15-hour train to Berlin with her then 5-year-old son, Gleb, on a journey followed by NBC News.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
The California Highway Patrol was trying to serve a high-risk search warrant at Mahany Park in connection with a freeway shooting in Sacramento County when the gunfire broke out.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The Foreign Office said more than 130,000 British nationals in the Middle East have registered their presence with the government since the conflict broke out, though not all are trying to leave.
—Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Fox broke out on the big screen in the Safdie Brothers’ A24 hit noir Uncut Gems opposite Adam Sandler.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
With 5 minutes, 39 seconds left in a second-round game, a brawl broke out between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
His six year old cousin opened the door and broke out in pure glee, rushing back to call for his mother.
—Yousra Elbagir, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
However, fighting broke out again in December 2025, and 100 people were reported dead before another ceasefire was reached.
—Abc News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Nataliia Sukhar left her home in northeastern Kharkiv after the war broke out, catching a 15-hour train to Berlin with her then 5-year-old son, Gleb, on a journey followed by NBC News.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out
Verb
-
But when Inter Miami ran out from the locker room, fans erupted in cheers and applause.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Mar. 2026
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Jones-Wood remembers seeing local kids stay in line at a food truck as gunfire and a police vehicle chase erupted a few blocks away.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Four missiles exploded so close to his ship that little pieces of shrapnel rained down on the deck.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Advertisement Murky motives Montilla’s criminal past exploded the case wide open.—
Samantha Bergeson,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20out. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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