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 Mabuyane recently appointed a team to investigate whether an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness was linked to poor water quality in parts of the province. — ABC News, 1 Nov. 2026 The virus has now spread further across Africa than any previous Ebola outbreak, with cases in the continent’s central, eastern, and western regions. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026 In 1998, during an intense El Niño event, NPR's member station, WUSF, reported that Central Florida experienced one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks, killing 42 people. — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026 The outbreak — which is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, a relatively rare strain for which there is currently no vaccine — has also spread to Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and France. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 29 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
  • Prop 1’s complexity has led to a flurry of competing TV ads interpreting it in opposite ways.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The executive order was quickly met with a flurry of lawsuits, which resulted in a preliminary injunction blocking the USPS from enforcing any new rules in response to Trump’s order.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The legendary protests of May, 1968, began as a student revolt against the bureaucracy of the French university system, and brought France to the verge of revolution yet again.
    — Maurice Samuels, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
  • That might have caused something of a revolt among American NFL fans wanting to drive down the road to their local team's stadium and enjoy America's game – in America.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of revolt
Noun
  • This nebula, called the Red Spider Nebula, is scuttling around space while its central star, glowing bright red in the middle, ejects bursts of gas and dust.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, the city has been marked with a recent burst of violence as some criticize Quiroz for failing to carry on her partner’s fight against crime.
    — Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • By then, graffiti had been scrubbed from the central monument that pays tribute to the French Republic, including its tradition of insurrection.
    — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • My assumption that the guest speakers’ anti-Communist insurrection might resonate with today’s youth and their antisystem rebellion proved to be mistaken.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of insurrection
Noun
  • The fines could be rescinded if the coaches avoid sideline outbursts for the rest of the season, as the league calls for more civil interactions between coaches, players and officials.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • From harassing Brady over his divorce from Gisele Bündchen on social media to trying to be a rapper and much more, Brown’s post-football life has been one filled with public outbursts and controversial statements and stunts.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Just weeks after the experiment ended, a prison uprising at Attica Correctional Facility in New York was thwarted with deadly force, resulting in 43 deaths.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
  • France's post-revolution history is not a solid story of protests and reforms, but of cycles of popular uprisings, repression, mobilization and political concessions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of uprising
Noun
  • In August, Russia’s Africa Corps military contractor helped Niger’s junta quickly defeat a mutiny by a group of young troops in the country’s capital.
    — Vladimir Isachenkov, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Putin publicly called the mutiny treason, then appeared to forgive him.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of mutiny
Noun
  • As the competition unfolds, Haymitch risks everything to take down the Games from within the arena — setting in motion the rebellion that will change Panem forever.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026
  • My assumption that the guest speakers’ anti-Communist insurrection might resonate with today’s youth and their antisystem rebellion proved to be mistaken.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 2026.

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