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
Relevance
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
Examples 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
Becca Longmire, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Since the wildfires broke out last week, the site has been inundated with thousands of fundraisers for the victims.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
Jon Heyman of the New York Post predicts the breakout outfielder to sign for $26 million.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for break out 
Verb
More than 2,000 people have been told to evacuate after a fire broke out at a battery plant in Northern California, according to reports.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Since the wildfires broke out last week, the site has been inundated with thousands of fundraisers for the victims.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
Since her breakout movie role at age 12 in 2006’s Akeelah and the Bee, Palmer has conquered nearly every medium there is.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
Jon Heyman of the New York Post predicts the breakout outfielder to sign for $26 million.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
-
The Hughes fire, which erupted last week, prompted additional evacuations and has charred more than 10,000 acres.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The two wildfires, which erupted on Jan. 7 about 40 miles apart, are the second and third most destructive fires in California’s history and killed 28 people, officials said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Looking for escape through others, drinking, working nonstop.—
Alessia Glaviano,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Chuck’s possible escape isn’t the only bomb Baron drops on the couple.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Heat never looked back, exploding for 46 points in the third quarter to take a 24-point lead into the fourth quarter.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Trump's net worth was about to explode from an asset that, up to that point, didn't exist.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The White House said deportation flights have also begun.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
By Plane Culebra receives direct flights from San Juan, Ceiba, and the nearby island of Vieques at the tiny Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport (CPX) near Ensenada Honda.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near break out
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share