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

Relevance

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 Aid workers have also told CNN that the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and US funding cuts carried out prior to the outbreak have impeded the response. Erikas Mwisi, CNN Money, 24 May 2026 Congo has had more than a dozen previous Ebola outbreaks. ABC News, 24 May 2026 This latest Ebola outbreak is unfolding alongside a frightening hantavirus outbreak that erupted on a cruise ship. Neil Vora, Time, 22 May 2026 How bad is the 2026 Ebola outbreak compared to past epidemics? Finch Walker, USA Today, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreak
Noun
  • Eastern Ukraine — There is a whirr, a flurry of dust, a pause as the grainy image recalibrates, and then a devastating blast.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • The checkup came amid mounting scrutiny of the president's health, particularly given recent flurries of late-night social media posts, as well as his at-times tired demeanor during official meetings.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Many leaders would have resisted such a revolt.
    Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • There were more than 50 days of popular revolt, which were met with considerable police violence, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.
    Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • But after the early burst, the Liberty had no answer for the trio of Wings' guards.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 May 2026
  • Save for the occasional burst of laughter at moments in the video, the group remained silent.
    Reeti Malhotra May 23, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Prosecutors also revealed private messages to from Tarrio to senior leaders of the Proud Boys taking credit for the insurrection.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
  • Pamela Hemphill, who served a 60-day sentence for participating in the insurrection, later rejected a pardon from the president for her actions.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 24 May 2026
Noun
  • Dunne later poked fun at her outburst in an Instagram post on Sunday, May 24, recapping her time at Saturday's game, a 5-2 loss for Skenes' Pirates.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
  • Salah’s outburst, which came after being named as a substitute for the third consecutive game over a six-day period in December, sent a season already spiralling into complete chaos.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Noun
  • Germans, beer, white flight, uprising, rebirth.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
  • That's the anniversary of a democratic uprising in the southern city of Gwangju that was brutally suppressed by troops, tanks and helicopters, killing or injuring hundreds.
    CBS News, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • The in-fighting and mutiny across ownership, staff, players and fans after a miserable campaign.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 May 2026
  • There were some other problems early on as well, but what a difference a mutiny makes.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • Shop the Marc Jacobs Beauty Collection Now Naturally, Jacobs also infused an undercurrent of rebellion.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 May 2026
  • Investor rebellion The announcement of Manifold’s departure from BP came as a surprise to many analysts and investors earlier in the week, with the company currently in the midst of a fundamental strategic reset.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreak. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on outbreak

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster