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 What states are affected by the salmonella outbreak? Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 May 2025 For example, the Center for Disease Control issued an alert for an outbreak of dengue fever in Brazil, Fiji, Mexico, and other countries. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025 In people who receive both doses, contracting measles is extremely rare—even during outbreaks. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 22 May 2025 The Midwest has also suffered outbreaks of severe thunderstorms with damaging hail, wind and tornadoes this spring. Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreak
Noun
  • On May 25, Mercury will zip into the curious and chatty sign of Gemini, bringing a flurry of messages and insight Comments Hang tight, because Mercury in Gemini is about to turn up the volume on all the chatter!
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • After falling behind 2-0 in the series on the road, and looking vastly overmatched in the process, the Timberwolves returned home and finally punched back, putting together a flurry that staggered the Thunder for the first time in the series.
    Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • For all his unfounded beliefs and suspicions, Kennedy’s revolt isn’t against research but against the power long held by scientific insiders like Fauci.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • Murderbot May 16 on Apple TV+ The question on everyone’s mind: What if the technology that takes on ou most mindless and inane tasks revolts against us?
    Lucy Ford, Time, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Short bursts of revenue can flatter results but may not create lasting value, so make decisions with a long horizon in mind.
    Ayo Adepoju, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The successful challenge appeared to give Florida a burst of energy, but the Panthers could not convert on any of their chances in the shutout loss.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • What’s the political climate, social climate that has to exist in order for an insurrection to appear?
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • It was suspended across the states during the entire Civil War; in counties in South Carolina that were overrun by the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction; in specific places in the Philippines during an insurrection in 1905; and in Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Damon Valdez singled in the fourth run of the inning and singled in a run in the Griffins’ four-run outburst in the sixth.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 20 May 2025
  • William followed up a Day 1 bagel with a 24-point outburst in Day 2, while Bates shot 1 of 6 on the first day but scored 19 points on eight shots on the second day.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Karen Young, founder of the inclusive body care brand Oui the People, similarly recalls the emotional labor of leading during collective crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 racial uprisings and the recent election.
    Jasmine Browley, Essence, 28 May 2025
  • Filmmakers, inspired by the uprising, began creating without hijab, without state approval, and often in complete secrecy.
    Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Congressional Republicans Thursday agreed to move forward with President Trump’s sprawling budget plan a day after a mutiny by right-wing lawmakers threatened to derail it.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In 1995, prosecutors wanted to question the former military dictator Chun Doo-hwan on insurrection and mutiny charges stemming from his role in a 1979 coup and a massacre of demonstrators the following year.
    Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The rebellion ramps up, but not without struggle, sacrifice, and Serena's help.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • In 1998, people all over the country commemorated the rebellion, though the sectarian divisions and the violence of the Troubles loomed large.
    Joseph Patrick Kelly, The Conversation, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreak. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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