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
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Recent Examples of breaking out
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
Sold by MoreThan Films, a buzz title at September Venice Days, now breaking out abroad.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Microsoft first started breaking out Azure revenue growth last quarter.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 31 Oct. 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
Sold by MoreThan Films, a buzz title at September Venice Days, now breaking out abroad.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Microsoft first started breaking out Azure revenue growth last quarter.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking out
Verb
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Their breakthrough eventually came in the 76th minute, Nu Stadium erupting when German Berterame equalized into an open net following an easy rebound on Luis Suarez’s low drive.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
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Police recovered video surveillance of the shooting, which showed gunfire erupting from a red four-door Chevrolet.—
Gabriel San Román,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Both Monahon and Carroll are writing about transformation of the paradigm-exploding kind.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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That is, until the union starts not-so-quietly exploding during a vicious screaming match at their home following a fundraising event.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20out. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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