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

Relevance

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
  • The volcano is also located in the national park and last erupted in 2022.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Russia on Sunday fired a total of 273 exploding drones and decoys targeting Ukraine's Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, according to Ukraine’s air force.
    Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025
  • Russia on Sunday fired a total of 273 exploding drones and decoys targeting Ukraine’s Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, Ukraine’s air force said.
    Giada Zampano, Chicago Tribune, 18 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
  • The closest airport with flights arriving from the U.S. is Venice Marco Polo Airport, about a two-hour drive from Trieste.
    Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on break out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!