outbreak

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk How to pronounce outbreak (audio)
Definition of outbreaknext
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity there was an immediate outbreak of paper shuffling and a pretense of work when the supervisor passed through the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in revolt
open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of outbreak Cases of a diarrhea-causing intestinal parasite have exploded in Michigan over the last two weeks in an outbreak that still has no clear source. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026 These clinical trials could provide a glimpse of hope for the citizens of the DRC that are battling one of the most serious Ebola outbreaks on record. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Previous outbreaks have involved raspberries, bagged lettuce or salads, cilantro and basil. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 7 July 2026 It was tested during the 2018 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but proved relatively ineffective against the Zaire species. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreak
  1. flurry
  2. revolt
  3. burst
  4. insurrection
  5. outburst
  6. uprising
  7. mutiny
  8. rebellion
Noun
  • Salaün pointed to locking in on defense as part of what unlocked her late flurry.
    — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • Amid its six-shot flurry in the initial 10 minutes, Belgium created one golden chance that was a near miss.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The people ended up burning down the house of one of the tax collectors, prompting President George Washington to raise the first federal army against them and quickly quell the revolt.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • At once pugnaciously combative and unreservedly sentimental, Landon chose to take the series out with a commentary on class revolt.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Definition of revolt
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Thompson is tall, has powerful hands, and possesses an impressive burst.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • Sometimes this little burst of movement triggers noncommittal fish.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • The pair took a big swing in 2022 around the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection on January 6.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • The violence, described as a failed insurrection by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vandalized more than 160 shopping malls, led to tens of thousands of job losses, and cost the economy roughly $3 billion.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of insurrection
Noun
  • While hardly a spotless performance from the second-place Bombers, who threw a bullpen game, their offensive outburst put them four games behind the division-leading Rays.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026
  • There are no explosive revelations, gotcha moments, dramatic confessions, or theatrical outbursts.
    — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Johnny Knoxville faces a summer camp uprising as his new comedy heads to theaters.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
  • Egypt’s tourism has started to recover after years of years of political turmoil and violence following the 2011 uprising, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of uprising
Noun
  • In the Black Jacobins, CLR James describes the slaves of a plantation sewing mutiny through poison.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • Amid the mutiny in the House, Johnson canceled unrelated votes, struggling to get enough support to move the legislation.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of mutiny
Noun
  • Mali has previously faced insurgencies by militants affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, as well as a separatist rebellion in the country’s north.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Shakespeare’s description now appears more significant and also helps explain why the Bard’s production of Richard II in February 1601 coincided with the start of the Earl of Essex’s rebellion.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of rebellion

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Cite this Entry

“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreak. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of outbreak for Spanish Speakers

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