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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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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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 Oceanwide Expeditions, operator of the cruise ship MV Hondius, says at least 29 living passengers from 12 countries disembarked the ship and went home after the death of the first passenger on board (before officials knew of the outbreak). Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026 The global outbreak of the coronavirus and its painful memories are very much at the forefront of peoples minds here in Tenerife, where local leaders have vehemently contested the disembarkation, and some of the local population has gathered in protest over the past few days. Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 10 May 2026 Health officials say risk to public is low WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated that the public should not be worried about the outbreak. Iain Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026 Passengers have begun evacuating the MV Hondius cruise ship that was hit by a rare hantavirus outbreak, boarding planes after the ship is docked in Spain’s Canary Islands. Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreak
Noun
  • As tensions escalate there's been a flurry of diplomacy across the globe.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
  • That kicked off a flurry of activity — starting with those who questioned why this was the first warrant for Duckett after more than three decades on death row.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Ultimately, Wales’ revolt against Labour is not simply a march to Reform.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 May 2026
  • The next national election does not have to be held until 2029, but a wipeout on Thursday could tip a restive Labour Party into revolt against its unpopular leader.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • Known as the theme park capital of the world, Central Florida bursts with family-friendly fun.
    Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
  • While most passengers are considerate, late-night returns and early-morning departures can bring bursts of noise outside your door.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • His stand against the insurrection offended the Nebraska Republican Committee.
    Scott Pelley, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • In England chaos reaches its zenith when a Kentishman named Jack Cade, encouraged by York (who has been sent to put down a revolt in Ireland), mounts an insurrection that plays havoc in the streets of London.
    Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Flagg and Knueppel traded places as betting favorites during the season, but Flagg’s 96-point outburst over two games on the second-to-last weekend might have tipped the scales.
    Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The Bears took control with a 5-0 outburst in the third quarter for a 12-7 advantage over the defending champions.
    Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • France’s revolution set off a slave uprising in its colony of Saint-Domingue.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Despite the violent uprising at the Capitol on that day, the election results held firm.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • That’s when three-term incumbent Richard Woods will face four Republican challengers and a mutiny among GOP lawmakers, giving him what could be the toughest election he’s ever faced.
    Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This didn’t stop him from lining his commercial breakthrough, American Fool, with deeper meaning; with a kind of mutiny.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And, as a heterosexual couple, wasn’t living in sin our final, sole, tiny act of rebellion?
    Eva Wiseman, Vogue, 7 May 2026
  • Call it a small rebellion against clocks—the things leftists call capitalism’s tool for controlling workers’ time—or just blame Los Angeles traffic.
    Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreak. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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