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
Sacramento broke out the beads for a Mardi Gras Festival on Saturday night, with creative floats from the City of Trees parade illuminating Capitol Mall. JosÉ Luis Villegas, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2025 The Athletic answers the key questions… GO DEEPER 'Rockets from Russia to Poltava, 30 seconds' - life as a female footballer in Ukraine What happened after the war broke out? Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
This gives the show a special place in royal history, although what was really most memorable about Suits was Patrick J. Adams' breakout performance as legal genius Mike Ross. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025 That breakout success story is steady in first place for a forty-fourth nonconsecutive frame. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
  • Listen to this article The sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden erupted as St. John’s point guard Deivon Smith subbed into Sunday’s game against Creighton for the first time.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025
  • China has long criticized USAID, and the Chinese internet erupted in cheers at the agency’s demise.
    Nicholas D. Kristof, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • One of the cops is executed, and the other escapes.
    Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • More recently, he’s allowed for individual room rentals during peak seasons, thus welcoming almost-regular folks to that pristine Caribbean escape, which also happens to be a successful lemur refuge.
    Heidi Mitchell, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Unless the rest of government is dramatically scaled back, that planned tax cut would explode the federal budget deficit.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Raw eggs… Soda cans aren’t the only kind of item at risk of exploding in the freezer, according to Dr. Detwiler.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Airlines have cancelled roughly 700 flights on Wednesday as winter weather moves across the country.
    Max Golembo, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The Delta flight, on a trip from Minneapolis, was cleared for Runway 23 under a westerly wind, with gusts up to 38 miles per hour.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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