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

The apartment fire broke out on Detroit's west side on Webb Street and Burlingame Street. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 From there, Knight continued to run Laika while also breaking out as an in-demand live-action director. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

Those who dabble will tell you to watch his campy breakout hits (Hairspray, Cry-Baby). — Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026 After his breakout season Cook fielded interest from virtually every Power Four league, including the Big Ten and SEC. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out

Verb

As dusk fell Saturday, violence erupted at the end of some of the 289 protests counted by the Interior Ministry nationwide.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Dorgham Halasa told the AP that intense gunfire erupted in the church some 15 minutes after the funeral service began.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of erupt

Noun

Lisa lets a dolphin named Snorky escape from Marine World after seeing his trainers taunt him for the amusement of slack-jawed yokels.

— Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
Southwest Airlines will add 11 new nonstop international routes to its schedule beginning in November, giving travelers more options for their next tropical escape.

— Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

Riley then capped the game with just over 6 minutes left, hitting the outside lane to explode for a 72-yard touchdown run and the final 31-10 lead.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
Blue dials have been a favorite among watchmakers (and collectors) for decades, but the sheer variety of hues coming out of Switzerland has exploded in recent years.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of explode

Noun

Congress answered with the Air Commerce Act of 1926, which put the Commerce Department in charge of commercial flight.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
In the aerodynamic phenomenon known as ground effect, proximity to that surface squeezes air beneath a craft’s wings to reduce drag and boost lift, with far less propulsive power required than for high-altitude flight.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of flight

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break off (with)

break out

breakout

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Style

“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of break out

verb

noun

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