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
Blanco began his breakout 2024 with a no-hitter and never looked back. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 The Blackhawks have been lacking this type of breakout over the past few seasons: Which brings us to the decision coming in the next week for the Blackhawks. Scott Powers, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
  • The reaction by members of Greenland's parliament and residents has rendered that unlikely, with anger erupting over the Trump administration’s attempts to annex the vast Arctic island.
    PHILIP CROWTHER, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In recent weeks, employees worked with uncertainty amid signs that the likelihood of Mount Spurr, a volcano near Anchorage, erupting in the next few weeks or months had increased.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 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
  • As short-term debt was refinanced at these higher rates, interest expense exploded.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The trip will be led by Lauren Sánchez — who is engaged to Bezos and is vice chair of the billionaire’s Earth Fund — and marks Blue Origin’s 11th human space flight.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2025
  • There were 64 people on the American Airlines flight, while there were also three soldiers aboard the helicopter.
    Rachel McRady, People.com, 27 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 3 Apr. 2025.

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