break out 1 of 2

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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breakout

2 of 2

noun

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 break out
Verb
The source alleges that some production has continued since the strike broke out with a skeleton crew as the project seeks replacement workers to fill out what was once a roughly 35- to 40-person crew, depending on the day. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025 The chain of events that led to the conviction of former Arkansas police chief Grant Hardin, who recently broke out of prison, were documented in a made for television special. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Noun
With the Pacers giving at least 10 players significant minutes in Games 1-3, will Game 4 mark another breakout for one of Indiana's reserves? Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025 Authorities allege Williams played a key role in the breakout by turning off the water to the toilet near where the inmates escaped. Matt Rehbein, CNN Money, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
  • Violent riots erupted across the U.K. after the attack, in which mosques and migrant accommodation were largely targeted.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 27 May 2025
  • Kirst, who did not notch a goal or an assist in the team’s 11-9 win against No. 5 seed Penn State on Saturday, erupted for game highs in both goals (six) and points (seven).
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Boyd, 19, who was facing charges of second-degree murder before the escape, was the latest inmate captured.
    Peter D'Abrosca , Nate Foy, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
  • What was an escape turned into nine piano compositions made available on various platforms, including Spotify, after feedback on Instagram.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Things quickly turned ugly as Martha’s jealousy of Ida exploded.
    Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
  • Sudan plunged into civil war on April 15, 2023, when simmering tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open warfare in the capital Khartoum and other parts of the country.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • An All Nippon Airways flight traveling from Tokyo to Houston was diverted to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after a passenger reportedly tried to open the plane's exit doors mid-flight, authorities said.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Did Fielder need to lock the network lawyers assigned to Season 2 inside of Nate’s Lizard Lounge for the duration of the two-hour and 10-minute flight?
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 May 2025

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“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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