1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity there was an immediate outbreak of paper shuffling and a pretense of work when the supervisor passed through the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in revolt
open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 outbreak Ignoring simple science leaves us asking when will the next major waterborne disease outbreaks occur like in Gideon, Missouri, and Alamosa, Colorado? Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025 Field testing revealed that the bacteria was present in sick sea stars and had also been around during a 2016 outbreak in Alaska. JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025 The outbreak was first identified in the South Carolina upstate region in early October, according to the SCDPH. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025 The source of a zombie outbreak can come from anywhere, including ancient curses and meteorites from space. PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreak
Noun
  • The Orionid meteor shower peak begins tonight, welcoming a spectacular natural light show that could see a flurry of shooting stars spawned by Halley's Comet brighten the dark, moonless sky.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Panahi, who has been imprisoned in Iran several times, is Stateside for the first time in two decades for the opening, doing a flurry of Q&As.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Behind all of the concern about the mental health of Ukrainian children lurks a bigger question regarding the generations too young to have taken part in the unifying 2014 revolt against Russia.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Former Roanoke women's swim captain Lily Mullens, who led an athlete revolt against the program in 2023 that culminated in a press conference and lawsuit, told Fox News Digital her reaction to Spanberger's answer.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Soon there was a burst of flame, which appeared to spread from the cab and shot out several feet from the driver's side of the truck.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Halfmann's team knew this process takes a burst of energy.
    Jon Hamilton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There has to be an insurrection in order for him to be allowed to invoke it.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2025
  • First passed in 1792, the federal law gives presidents the power to deploy the military domestically under certain conditions, such as civil disorder, insurrection and armed rebellion.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Los Alamitos’ outburst also included a 74-yard touchdown reception by Boise State committed tight end Beckham Hofland from Colin Creason.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Still, an offensive outburst from Ohtani would be a welcome sight.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The controversy evokes painful memories for many Detroit residents of the military response during the 1967 racial uprising.
    Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • While at the Lumiere Festival in Lyon where he’s being honored with a career tribute, Michael Mann reflected on his time in Paris documenting the student uprisings of 1968 for NBC.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Playoffs have been under the shadow of league star Napheesa Collier speaking with pointed criticism of commissioner Cathy Engelbert in what amounts to a mutiny against the commish, with other players backing Collier.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
  • But to the enslaved Africans transported on these ships, that mermaid was a symbol of righteous rebellion and holy mutinies.
    Time, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In small towns and farm communities across Illinois, a quiet rebellion is taking shape.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The daughter of a severely disapproving dentist (Ulrich Tukur) who witnessed World War II from the heart of Germany and still seems to think that women’s lib is the worst thing that’s ever happened to his country, Vera is a perfect vessel for rebellion.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreak. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on outbreak

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!