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
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Recent Examples of broke out
The fight between Jada and another student from Mason Creek Middle School broke out March 5 at an intersection near the girl's home, Crawford said.
—
Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the crew of a cargo vessel evacuated after a fire broke out on board when it was hit by an unknown projectile north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz.
—Stella Kim, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
All of them were at a pivotal life milestone when the war broke out.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
How women are faring In honor of Women’s History Month, Fidelity broke out some data pertaining to women participating in 401(k) plans.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
The California Highway Patrol was trying to serve a high-risk search warrant at Mahany Park in connection with a freeway shooting in Sacramento County when the gunfire broke out.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The Foreign Office said more than 130,000 British nationals in the Middle East have registered their presence with the government since the conflict broke out, though not all are trying to leave.
—Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Fox broke out on the big screen in the Safdie Brothers’ A24 hit noir Uncut Gems opposite Adam Sandler.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
With 5 minutes, 39 seconds left in a second-round game, a brawl broke out between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the crew of a cargo vessel evacuated after a fire broke out on board when it was hit by an unknown projectile north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz.
—Stella Kim, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
All of them were at a pivotal life milestone when the war broke out.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
How women are faring In honor of Women’s History Month, Fidelity broke out some data pertaining to women participating in 401(k) plans.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
The California Highway Patrol was trying to serve a high-risk search warrant at Mahany Park in connection with a freeway shooting in Sacramento County when the gunfire broke out.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The Foreign Office said more than 130,000 British nationals in the Middle East have registered their presence with the government since the conflict broke out, though not all are trying to leave.
—Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Fox broke out on the big screen in the Safdie Brothers’ A24 hit noir Uncut Gems opposite Adam Sandler.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
With 5 minutes, 39 seconds left in a second-round game, a brawl broke out between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out
Verb
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The cross-border clashes, which erupted late last month, have shown no signs of abating despite efforts by China and Turkey to broker a ceasefire.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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The senior guard erupted for 31 points on the grandest of stages, as top-seeded Wareham rallied from a 12-point deficit to win its third Div.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Carter sputtered early but exploded in the second and third quarters to run away with a 67-41 win.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
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While regional Mexican music has exploded internationally in recent years, Jacques acknowledges that norteñas and corridos tend to dominate the genre’s spotlight.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20out. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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