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

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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

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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 Ebola is caused by a collection of viruses called orthoebolaviruses — with the Bundibugyo virus having been identified in the current outbreak. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the outbreak is possibly three times larger than the number of cases recorded, as surveillance and contact tracing are still weak. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 Despite that, the outbreak has already become Congo’s deadliest Ebola outbreak. — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 High summer demand for hospital and trauma care combined with extreme heat, summer travel and health disruptions such as the cyclosporiasis outbreak led to a drop in donor turnout, the organization said in a release. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 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 Miami Herald spoke with four Cubans and one Brazilian man who were sent as part of a flurry of deportation flights across Africa in August.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ahead of the official start of the US Open, a flurry of fetes took place across New York City.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • Not since voters passed Proposition 13, an iconic property tax limit, in 1978 and touched off tax revolts in other states has a California measure potentially affected America’s taxation policies so broadly.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After years of requesting simpler access to the life-saving therapy – and partially getting it during the pandemic, without negative consequences – many in that world were in full revolt.
    — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of revolt
Noun
  • These are short, all-out bursts of exercise performed at an intensity higher than your maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max).
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Inflation eased in June and July, but a burst of on-again, off-again fighting in recent weeks caused crude prices to rise again.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • As Port falls in with a group of conspirators preparing for the insurrection, the book takes on a hallucinatory, digressive quality, blurring the lines between life and death, reality and illusion.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Stephen Colbert’s award-winning Late Show was canceled in a move that many have labeled political appeasement, and the flagship evening newscast baselessly recast the January 6 insurrection as a partisan squabble.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of insurrection
Noun
  • There was a sense that only significant deals could stave off the double threat of the Austrian’s outbursts over transfers destabilising the team midway through the campaign and Palace tumbling into a relegation battle.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • According to Marco Tedesco, a geophysicist at Columbia University, the task of developing early warning systems for landslides, glacier collapse events and glacial outburst floods requires sustained effort.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Udas is among a wave of reform-minded politicians who came to the fore after a popular and violent Gen Z uprising last year toppled the country’s political establishment.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • One of the things that was mentioned early on was a change in the regime there, an uprising by the Iranian people against this Islamic theocracy, which has long had control.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of uprising
Noun
  • Continue reading … PARTY FOUL — Jeffries threatens consequences after Dem mutiny helps move anti-socialism bill.
    — , FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Critics wanted to throw a mutiny at the theater while watching the movie with a 48% Rotten Tomatoes grade.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of mutiny
Noun
  • We’ve been told that Juliette is a once-in-a-generation leader, capable of pushing a rebellion further than it’s ever gone before.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • So using a Mexican bean in a staple of Italian home cooking was surprising, almost like an act of rebellion.
    — Margy Rochlin, Los Angeles Times, 3 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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