as in erupting
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
Relevance
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 breaking out
Raleigh snapped the longest hitless streak in the major leagues during the team’s 10-2 win over the Astors on Tuesday, breaking out of an 0-38 slump with a pair of singles.
—
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Rookies were instructed through stretches and warmups before breaking out into positional drills during the media-viewing portion of rookie minicamp.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Height turned 25 two weeks ago after playing six seasons at four schools, finally breaking out with the Red Raiders in 2025.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
According to Rubin, 37, the Angels & Airwaves musician is allegedly known for breaking out alien autopsy images.
—Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Perry sat behind upperclassmen for two seasons, before breaking out as a junior and leading the Wolverines to two state championships.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Survival of the mid-major programs depends on breaking out and forming their own conglomeration.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
But just then, a battle was breaking out on a podium just a few yards away.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Police said the gathering soon turned contentious, with multiple fights breaking out, and a judge recently sentenced one of the men involved.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Rookies were instructed through stretches and warmups before breaking out into positional drills during the media-viewing portion of rookie minicamp.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Height turned 25 two weeks ago after playing six seasons at four schools, finally breaking out with the Red Raiders in 2025.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
According to Rubin, 37, the Angels & Airwaves musician is allegedly known for breaking out alien autopsy images.
—Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Perry sat behind upperclassmen for two seasons, before breaking out as a junior and leading the Wolverines to two state championships.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Survival of the mid-major programs depends on breaking out and forming their own conglomeration.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
But just then, a battle was breaking out on a podium just a few yards away.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Police said the gathering soon turned contentious, with multiple fights breaking out, and a judge recently sentenced one of the men involved.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking out
Verb
-
Bystander video posted to Facebook showed two jets making contact in the air, then twisting and careening in the sky before hitting the ground and erupting in a plume of dirt and fire.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
The video, which was obtained in October by Politico, showed Porter erupting at a staff member who appeared in the background of a prerecorded Zoom call between the former congresswoman and then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The planes then fall together, exploding into a fireball upon impact as the crew members drift to the ground nearby.—
Rebecca Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
The aircraft then fall to the ground before exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.—
Greg Wehner , Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20out. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
