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
Ignoring simple science leaves us asking when will the next major waterborne disease outbreaks occur like in Gideon, Missouri, and Alamosa, Colorado?
—
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Field testing revealed that the bacteria was present in sick sea stars and had also been around during a 2016 outbreak in Alaska.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
The outbreak was first identified in the South Carolina upstate region in early October, according to the SCDPH.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
The source of a zombie outbreak can come from anywhere, including ancient curses and meteorites from space.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Field testing revealed that the bacteria was present in sick sea stars and had also been around during a 2016 outbreak in Alaska.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
The outbreak was first identified in the South Carolina upstate region in early October, according to the SCDPH.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
The source of a zombie outbreak can come from anywhere, including ancient curses and meteorites from space.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreak
Noun
-
That Knicks flurry kicked off a truly dreadful second quarter for the Celtics, who also surrendered runs of 12-0 and 17-0 while being outplayed in nearly every facet.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As rain pattered against windows, and trees lining the streets swayed, flurries of urgent texts began ricocheting from one end of the neighborhood to the other, and panic set in as some residents put on their shoes and hurried out the door.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Chadema chair Tundu Lissu faces treason charges for advocating an election boycott and calling for a public revolt.—
Danish Manzoor Bhat,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The public revolt was immediate.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The former Bronco is having a career year with the Cowboys, with two games above 115 rushing yards, and had a 66-yard burst against the Jets.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The archival material is organized and annotated by Chaplin biographer David Robinson and editor Cecilia Cenciarelli, who have done essential work here detailing Chaplin’s biggest final burst of creativity.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is not Lozano’s first brush with insurrection.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But there is nothing like an insurrection in the city of San Francisco.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Giudice’s mother famously flipped a table at a restaurant in season one of and was known for her outbursts.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Saturday’s 4-3 win against Montreal, powered by a three-goal third period outburst that took less than six minutes, was proof of concept.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The East African country has been mired in civil strife ever since the central government collapsed in 1991 following a series of uprisings against the then-military dictatorship.—
Omar S Mahmood,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Following the national uprising over the murder of George Floyd, corporations sought out more women and people of color to diversify their boards of directors.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Beginning as a sailors’ mutiny in the port city of Kiel, the revolution spread by train.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
This includes leader assassination attempts by political opponents or lone wolves or mutinies by disgruntled soldiers who might even march on the presidential palace to demand higher pay, promotions or other policy concessions.—
John Joseph Chin,
The Conversation,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Readers meet Anne, who walks out of Eden not out of rebellion but love.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Netanyahu, meanwhile, faces rebellion from right-wing ministers who want to block a path to Palestinian statehood and annex the West Bank.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreak. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share