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

Since the outbreak of the war in February, negotiations between Tehran and Washington have occurred largely through mediators. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

There are infectious disease outbreaks that tear through the women’s asylum, pre-antibiotics and vaccines, but there is also Lucia Strangman, one of Europe’s first female doctors, who rises to these challenges and then some. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026

However, the pace and scale of the emerging impact were far beyond our usual outbreak response. — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 26 Sep. 2026

In that time, Gundlach Bundschu has survived a major pest outbreak, the San Francisco earthquake and fire, which destroyed one million gallons of wine and Prohibition. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026