OUTBREAKS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

outbreaks

noun

plural of outbreak

as in flurries

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in insurrections

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

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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 outbreaks Large outbreaks force farms to cull their flocks to prevent the spread of the disease, diminishing the domestic supply of chickens and raising prices. — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026 There have been multiple measles outbreaks in the last two years, including one in West Texas that infected 762 people and killed two children. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 Previous Ebola outbreaks were marked by allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds, which experts said have contributed to the mistrust of local communities, complicating the efforts to halt the spread. — Monika Pronczuk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Schmit has written about the role of state policy in fostering health information exchange and its benefits to the public, such as tracking measles outbreaks. — Alex Rosenblat — Calmatters, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026 Past listeria infection outbreaks have been caused by a variety of foods, including seafood, raw dairy, deli meat and both raw and processed produce. — Eva Flowe october 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 Police struggled to cope with the multiple outbreaks of violence. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Over the past two years, nine states have experienced outbreaks that regulators have linked to raw dairy. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2026 Nearly half the illnesses in these outbreaks are in children—who are particularly vulnerable to foodborne pathogens. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreaks

Noun

Similarly, flurries and snow showers are expected in the Upper Midwest, along with chillier-than-normal temperatures.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 21 Oct. 2026
And a colleague spotted on a webcam video what appeared to be flurries at Beech Mountain Saturday morning.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of flurries

Noun

But this research suggests that automation can happen in bursts, and those bursts tend to cluster around recessions.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026
On a night this cold, the bursts of flame were almost as welcome as the spectacle, providing a few seconds of actual warmth to fans on the field and in the lower bowl.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

His teeth desert his mouth; his digestion revolts; his heart appears frequently to announce its forthcoming resignation.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Voice had been exercised repeatedly at annual general meetings, say-on-pay revolts had forced concessions and proxy advisors had opposed management with escalating frequency.

— Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of revolts

Noun

The fines could be rescinded if the coaches avoid sideline outbursts for the rest of the season, as the league calls for more civil interactions between coaches, players and officials.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
From harassing Brady over his divorce from Gisele Bündchen on social media to trying to be a rapper and much more, Brown’s post-football life has been one filled with public outbursts and controversial statements and stunts.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of outbursts

Noun

France's post-revolution history is not a solid story of protests and reforms, but of cycles of popular uprisings, repression, mobilization and political concessions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
From 1896 to 1897, the region experienced what would come to be known as the First Chimurenga, a period of uprisings by the Indigenous Ndebele and Shona people against colonial policies.

— Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of uprisings

Noun

Before, the two forces had been allies, working together to crush rebellions in Darfur, but also pro-democracy movements that sprung up after the ouster of Sudanese dictator Omar Al-Bashir in 2019.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Throughout this season, Camille and her conversations with The Algorithm make mention of other rebellions.

— Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of rebellions

Noun

That mobility occasionally allowed for communication and coordination during mutinies.

— Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
This includes leader assassination attempts by political opponents or lone wolves or mutinies by disgruntled soldiers who might even march on the presidential palace to demand higher pay, promotions or other policy concessions.

— John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025

Definition of mutinies

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“Outbreaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreaks. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of outbreaks

noun

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