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 To track the outbreak, West regularly hikes to infected stands to inspect last year’s broods. — Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Before Kenya reported its case, there had been no active cases outside Congo since Uganda declared its outbreak over in late August. — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026 The use of bifenthrin increased in 2023 because of cotton pest outbreaks. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 Nearly half the illnesses in these outbreaks are in children—who are particularly vulnerable to foodborne pathogens. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 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
  • The turns came in a flurry as each of Green, Levine, and Clarkson had two spots to fill, and Latifah had one to give.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This bold flurry is a stark contrast with Democratic leaders, who would like to start really shaping their agenda … after the midterm elections.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • But this goes to Marianna's point about the revolt against incumbents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Or will there be a popular revolt, similar to the backlash that has led local governments to abandon other types of surveillance cameras?
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of revolt
Noun
  • Most importantly, there was a burst of chocolate flavor in every bite.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But this record-setting FRB still significantly pushes back the baseline for when these bursts can occur in cosmic history.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • The film argues that those foundational principles — along with the amendment’s prohibition against those who engage in insurrection serving as heads of state — have come under unprecedented pressure in recent years.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Amendment is also a constitution’s mechanism for the prevention of insurrection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of insurrection
Noun
  • One such outburst took place in 1933, when observers in Europe watched an astonishing 500 shooting stars streak across the sky each minute.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Michael Douglas was subject to violent and angry outbursts as well.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Taiwan’s National Day is held on the anniversary ‌of a 1911 uprising that led to ​the overthrow of China’s last imperial dynasty and the establishment of ‌the Republic of China.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Washington hoped that assassinating Khamenei would prompt a mass antigovernment uprising.
    — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of uprising
Noun
  • Its leader, Sergei Mironov, 73, once gained headlines by posing with a symbol of brutality — a sledgehammer given to him by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late Wagner mercenary leader shortly before his failed 2023 mutiny.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Step aboard the Grampus, a whaleship gone adrift after a storm, rations running out and a violent mutiny, and learn what happened to its ghost whalers.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of mutiny
Noun
  • The creators are describing the title as Inglourious Bastards, Quentin Tarantino’s down in the dirt revisionist World War Two movie, meets V for Vendetta, Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s anti-fascist British tale of rebellion.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • To pair the piece with Celine’s more tailored pieces like the trousers and blouse added a tonal contrast that still executed on its luxury aesthetic, though with a touch of rebellion.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebellion

Browse Nearby Words

outbraving
outbreak
outbreaks
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Cite this Entry

“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreak. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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