Thesaurus results for BROKE OUT

broke out

verb

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 It's now been more than four years since the large-scale war broke out between Russia and Ukraine. — James Taylor, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The stock broke out above it on earnings earlier this month and that zone is now support. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Another fight broke out at a Chicago baseball game, as fans tussled during the eighth inning of the series finale between the New York Mets and the White Sox at Rate Field on Sunday. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Oman, a historic US ally, has attempted to act as a mediator between the US and Iran both before and during the conflict, notably hosting nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington before the war broke out in February. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 About eight fights broke out throughout the two-hour session, significantly impacting the ability of either team to get in as much quality work as expected. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Role in the Castellammarese War When the Castellammarese War broke out in 1930 between Maranzano and rival crime boss Giuseppe (Joe) Masseria, Bonanno emerged as one of Maranzano’s leading lieutenants. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 Heavy fighting broke out minutes later around another base in Bonkay, south of the city, before armed men entered Baidoa and exchanged fire with government troops. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 Elsewhere, Kyle Williams went deep again, a starting edge rusher finally popped and a small skirmish broke out on the Patriots sideline. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out

Verb

There was a pause, as a room full of songwriters — the event was specifically for the Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Wing — erupted into laughter.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
The move further escalates a trade war with the United States' northern neighbor that erupted after negotiations between the two countries collapsed over the weekend.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of erupted

Verb

Alexandria Sheriff's Office via AP Flight 103 was 31,000 feet over Lockerbie when a bomb in the plane's forward cargo area exploded 38 minutes after takeoff from London Heathrow Airport.

— CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
These markets, which allow traders to wager on anything from sports to elections and pop culture, have exploded over the past two years.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026