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
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 5 Dec. 2024
Violent clashes broke out on the eastern outskirts of Hama, but Syria's state-run media denied that the insurgents had completely breached the city.
—James Hider, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
As the holiday catalog rush threatens to subsume the entirety of popular music this week, one breakout artist debuts an entirely new LP on the top five of the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated Dec. 21): ROSÉ.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for break out 
Verb
Both actors have musical backgrounds as well: Benoist first broke out as a cast member on Fox’s Glee, and Wood starred in Almost Famous on Broadway.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 5 Dec. 2024
Violent clashes broke out on the eastern outskirts of Hama, but Syria's state-run media denied that the insurgents had completely breached the city.
—James Hider, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
His previous work includes the Oscar-winning Taxi to the Dark Side, a 2007 doc about the killing of an Afghani taxi driver by U.S. soldier, and his 2005 breakout, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, about the collapse of the energy company.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
As the holiday catalog rush threatens to subsume the entirety of popular music this week, one breakout artist debuts an entirely new LP on the top five of the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated Dec. 21): ROSÉ.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
-
But as with all things the Griswolds do, everything goes wrong, mayhem erupts and absolute comedy ensues.Keith Langston, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
-
The car erupted into flames, careened across the track like a meteor on a particularly bad day, and came to rest against the wall as little more than a smoldering wreck.Greg Engle, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Prior to the escape, Hernandez was held at the Kern Valley State Prison.Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Other options include The Jarvis at 220, a historic downtown mansion that now serves as a bed-and-breakfast with views of the Neuse River and skyline, and the 1882 Italianate Victorian Aerie Bed & Breakfast, ideal for those seeking a romantic escape.Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Growth in private credit assets has exploded over the past few years, and BlackRock sees this trend continuing through the rest of the decade, with traditional private credit AUM more than doubling.Jeff Marks, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
-
Less than a month after it was installed, a gas line connected to the red and green lights exploded, badly burning the traffic warden operating the signal.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The official noted similar flight approach patterns from nearby airports matched the visual sightings reported to tip lines.Zoe Sottile, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
-
As usual, Travis traveled in style, wearing yet another statement-making look for the flight to Ohio.Erin Clack, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
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 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share