breaks out

present tense third-person singular of break out
as in erupts
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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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 breaks out The exact split is not something the university breaks out in its Common Data Set, so the figure comes from the admissions office rather than an audited count. Jamie Beaton, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 In 1967, the Six-Day War breaks out in West Asia. Kevin Giraud, Variety, 25 June 2026 Then, in the bottom of the inning, Kennedy throws a pitch near Greinke’s head, and pandemonium breaks out, with both benches and bullpens emptying again, and players and even coaches going at each other. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 Occasionally, an argument breaks out about who ate the last slice of baloney in the refrigerator. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 In other words, there could still be meaningful upside runway if the stock eventually breaks out and follows a path similar to prior advances. Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026 When war breaks out, many insurers trigger what are known as standard war-risk cancellation clauses, according to Jungman at Vortexa. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026 Body camera video shows Graham running from the deputy as a struggle breaks out. Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026 At times, yes, when a football match breaks out between all of those stoppages. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks out
Verb
  • When Tae-ha starts a fire that erupts into an explosion, a horrified Eun-sae begins to remember her life before amnesia.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Later, the Astro Toilets, a more powerful force, descend from space and a civil war erupts.
    Kyle MacNeill, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Reacher explodes into action, kicking over a table, executing a backward roll into the guy behind him while handcuffed, then redirecting that guy’s tranq gun against the other Men in Black.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
  • That first bump hits Tony with such a rush that the soundtrack explodes with boogielicious disco.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Breaks out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20out. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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