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
In a twist that augured perhaps the production wasn’t out of the woods yet, a small fire broke out on set while a stage was under construction. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025 Outdoor adventurers can finally break out the exploration equipment now that warmer weather has arrived. Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
British information and analytics company RELX could see a breakout as broader market uncertainty grows, according to Barclays. Brian Evans, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025 On Peacock, Gold Zone emerged as a breakout hit, providing a new way for streaming viewers to follow the action. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
  • Plans to redevelop a piece of Idaho’s second-oldest golf course — and the oldest in Southern Idaho — could soon move forward after a neighborhood on the edge of State Street erupted into objections over similar plans six years ago.
    Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Self Tour Pompeii When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and coated the city of Pompeii in ash and debris to a depth of 23 feet (seven meters), the population at the time was fifteen to twenty thousand, or about that of Jackson, Wyoming or Bangor in Wales today.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Reality: Most Will Not Be Able to Enter Canada Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants has left many searching for an escape, but Canada will not be a viable refuge for the vast majority.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The escape comes one week after gun suspect Eric Cruz managed to slip away from a cop watching him at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia in Manhattan and run off while still wearing a hospital gown.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As stablecoin usage explodes to 30 million monthly active addresses (a 53% increase year-over-year according to Dune Analytics) their real-world utility is becoming impossible to ignore.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Air raid sirens rang out and exploding interceptor rockets were heard in Jerusalem.
    Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Between the long flight, the jet lag and the late-night celebrations, Khloé, 40, and Kim, 44, were exhausted.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Eventually ruling it unsafe, NASA ordered Starliner to fly back empty in September and moved Wilmore and Williams to a SpaceX flight due back in February.
    Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 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 24 Mar. 2025.

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