BREAK OUT Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

break out 1 of 2

verb

Definition of break out

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

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breakout

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌau̇t

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

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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 statement, the company said that preliminary investigations showed that the fire broke out in an auxiliary process area and that the complex’s main equipment was not damaged. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 There were at least 15 newborns in the nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad when the fire broke out, hospital officials said, but one baby was rescued, officials with the hospital said. — CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

While his daughter Miley would one day become one of the Disney Channel’s biggest breakout stars—and a three-time Grammy winner—Billy Ray initially warned her away from show business. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 This season, Massey has remained healthy and is experiencing a breakout season. — Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out

Verb

One person was killed and at least 14 others were injured after gunfire erupted at a large gathering at a park on Chicago's South Side while police were attempting to disperse the crowd, authorities said.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
But weeks later, Miller, like the rest of us, watched from afar as Kabul fell and chaos erupted.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of erupt

Noun

Na Praia won’t be open until summer 2027, but the proprietors of the beloved pastoral escape that is São Lourenço do Barrocal east of Comporta are promising an exquisite new offering of suites, houses, and villas nestled into the dunes themselves.

— Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet through the Himalayas; a smokejumper designed a special high-altitude parachute to drop three hundred thousand Indian rupees to his escape party.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

That explodes into action in one startlingly seedy scene involving a rape in full view of revelers at a hotel party.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
That was the moment a suicide bomb exploded just outside Abbey Gate on August 26th, killing 13 American service members and more than 160 Afghan civilians.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of explode

Noun

Two hundred and fifty-nine passengers and crew, as well as 11 people on the ground, were killed when Pan Am flight 103, from London to New York, exploded over Lockerbie, southwest Scotland, on 21 December 1988.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026
Airport malaria is a very rare form of the disease’s transmission and occurs when a mosquito survives a flight from a malaria-endemic country and transmits the disease at or near the airport.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of flight

Browse Nearby Words

break off (with)

break out

breakout

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“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of break out

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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