broke out

Definition of broke outnext
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 However, several other disturbances broke out as hundreds of people on the beach attempted to leave simultaneously, officials noted. Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026 The blaze is one of several that recently broke out in Southern California, including the largest fire ever recorded on Santa Rosa Island and two brush fires that broke out in Riverside County on Tuesday. Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 More than a dozen elderly residents at a nursing home in Hayward were evacuated after a fire broke out Tuesday afternoon. Tim Fang, CBS News, 20 May 2026 Freeman broke out of a 4-for-29 slump with his first multihomer game of the season for the Dodgers, who have won six of seven. ABC News, 20 May 2026 Officers went to render medical aid to the victim, and several other fights broke out, police said. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026 After taking a bite of the sandwich his wife left for him, Eric Richins broke out in hives, injected himself with his son’s EpiPen, drank a bottle of Benadryl and passed out, prosecutors said. Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 But since the war with Iran broke out, Serrato's need to hear his voice was also driven by worry. Juliana Kim, NPR, 13 May 2026 Hundreds of vessels and thousands of mariners are still stranded in and around the strait, where traffic had flowed freely for decades before the Iran war broke out. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out
Verb
  • A lot has changed since that day — the Iran war erupted and widened before a tenuous ceasefire was reached.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 May 2026
  • Two EMTs were responding to a call about an elderly patient when gunfire erupted and an 18-year-old was shot in the stomach nearby.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • After the landing, Starship toppled over into the ocean waters and exploded in a magnificent fireball (again, as planned) as SpaceX workers cheered.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 May 2026
  • But what began as a small safety-net program has exploded into one of the largest drug purchasing programs in America, eclipsing Medicaid.
    Al Sharpton, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Broke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20out. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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