Thesaurus results for BROKE OUT

broke out

verb

past tense of break out

as in erupted

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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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 broke out The fire broke out at a Howard Industries facility in Laurel after a paint booth caught fire next to a tanker truck carrying an explosive substance, Mayor Johnny Magee told local media. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Two residential buildings were damaged, while a fire broke out at a textile factory. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 It's now been more than four years since the large-scale war broke out between Russia and Ukraine. — James Taylor, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The stock broke out above it on earnings earlier this month and that zone is now support. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Another fight broke out at a Chicago baseball game, as fans tussled during the eighth inning of the series finale between the New York Mets and the White Sox at Rate Field on Sunday. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Oman, a historic US ally, has attempted to act as a mediator between the US and Iran both before and during the conflict, notably hosting nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington before the war broke out in February. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 About eight fights broke out throughout the two-hour session, significantly impacting the ability of either team to get in as much quality work as expected. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Role in the Castellammarese War When the Castellammarese War broke out in 1930 between Maranzano and rival crime boss Giuseppe (Joe) Masseria, Bonanno emerged as one of Maranzano’s leading lieutenants. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out

Verb

Chicago police are now saying 15 victims were shot Saturday night after gunfire erupted at a park on the city's South Side.

— Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Then when Nabers sustained a concussion the fourth week, Slayton erupted in a Week 5 win at Seattle for eight catches, 122 yards and a touchdown.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of erupted

Verb

In Minneapolis—which had exploded into destructive mass protests following the murder of George Floyd by a police officer named Derek Chauvin in 2020—officials scrambled to prepare for a potentially similar response to Good’s killing.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The markets, including Kalshi and Polymarket, have exploded in popularity and permit users to bet on all manner of events, including sports, politics and geopolitical affairs.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026