Synonyms of outbreak

outbreak

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk 

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

• flurry
• burst
• outburst
• eruption
• surge
• spurt
• flare
• flutter
• flare-up
• increase
• flicker
• recurrence
• explosion
• epidemic
• flash
• renewal
• recrudescence
• flood
• boost
• upswing
• upturn
• spree
• pickup
• rush
• paroxysm
• binge
• commotion
• deluge
• spate
• volley
• furor
• uproar
• jag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slump
• calm
• doldrums

2

as in revolt

open fighting against authority (as one's own government)

the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revolt
• insurrection
• uprising
• mutiny
• rebellion
• insurgency
• revolution
• insurgence
• coup
• rising
• overthrow
• coup d'état
• treachery
• sedition
• treason
• sabotage
• subversion
• misprision

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• counterinsurgency
• counterrevolution

Example Sentences

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