as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently
in the wake of news reports of deaths from the flu, panic broke out, and there was a mad rush for flu shots
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
the captives had been planning to stage a breakout at the next change in shift for the guards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break out
Bay City News, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
The fracas broke out when a group of youngsters tried to rob an older, more established group that was selling marijuana on the block, according to a police source with knowledge of the case.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Owen Poindexter, New York Times, 11 July 2025
That green light to take perimeter shots led to Parker-Tyus' breakout season in 2018.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break out
Verb
The fire broke out at about 2:10 p.m. at a residence with a peaked roof in the 500 block of 26th Avenue, just across the street from San Francisco Fire Station 14, in the city’s Little Russia neighborhood.
—Bay City News, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
The fracas broke out when a group of youngsters tried to rob an older, more established group that was selling marijuana on the block, according to a police source with knowledge of the case.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Noun
From my perspective, all three look like mid-level breakouts.
—Owen Poindexter, New York Times, 11 July 2025
That green light to take perimeter shots led to Parker-Tyus' breakout season in 2018.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
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What begins as a quiet rebellion erupts into a viral citywide strike, culminating in a daring heist.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
14 July 2025
-
The whole table erupted into a debate about the war—one that everyone claimed to be against, even though one family member is a combat medic and another is enlisting.—
Guy Ben-Aharon,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2025
Noun
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This isn’t just another run-of-the-feed, Instagrammable escape.—
Ashlee Marie Preston,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Reading has always been my escape when life feels overwhelming.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
Verb
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During World War II, the company created field rations for the armed services, and Chef Boyardee exploded to a company with $20 million in annual revenue (over $320 million in today’s money).—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
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Earlier this week, excitement exploded online after an announcement suggested that staking $100,000 in TON for three years, plus a one-time $35,000 processing fee, would grant applicants a 10-year UAE Golden Visa.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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According to the report, the flight lasted around 30 seconds between takeoff and crash.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
-
Purposefully designed to have a roomy, relaxed fit around the chest and waist, and made with a soft, breathable fleece fabric, this pullover is the perfect layering piece for chilly flights or lounging at the hotel.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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