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
Season 1 of the medical drama broke out in a major way in 2025, winning five Emmys, including outstanding drama series, lead actor for Noah Wyle, supporting actress for Katherine LaNasa, casting and Hatosy’s guest victory.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
But when the war broke out days later, mortgage rates jumped alongside bond yields.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
On April 1st, Muir Burgos was moved to Canaleta, an adult prison, where a violent riot broke out in February, driven by food shortages, lack of medical care and abuse.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
In Arlington, Texas, a brawl broke out in the stands between fans of the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, which was caught from various angles on cellphone videos and immediately posted to social media for entertainment.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
They were called after multiple brawls involving as many as 100 people, most of whom were juveniles, broke out at the park.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Those coded messages, along with the calls to defend the countries’ ties, point to London’s hopes that Charles can be a tool to repair transatlantic fractures that have deepened since the Iran war broke out.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Hersheypark has beefed up security measures after a large fight broke out during the park's opening weekend and ended with several arrests.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Higgins originally broke out of Love Island UK in 2019 but rose to greater celebrity last year as one of the stars of Peacock‘s The Traitors US.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Clayton Davis, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
But when the war broke out days later, mortgage rates jumped alongside bond yields.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
On April 1st, Muir Burgos was moved to Canaleta, an adult prison, where a violent riot broke out in February, driven by food shortages, lack of medical care and abuse.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
In Arlington, Texas, a brawl broke out in the stands between fans of the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, which was caught from various angles on cellphone videos and immediately posted to social media for entertainment.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
They were called after multiple brawls involving as many as 100 people, most of whom were juveniles, broke out at the park.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Those coded messages, along with the calls to defend the countries’ ties, point to London’s hopes that Charles can be a tool to repair transatlantic fractures that have deepened since the Iran war broke out.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Hersheypark has beefed up security measures after a large fight broke out during the park's opening weekend and ended with several arrests.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Higgins originally broke out of Love Island UK in 2019 but rose to greater celebrity last year as one of the stars of Peacock‘s The Traitors US.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out
Verb
-
Crews made fast work of a 10-acre fire that erupted in brush in the vicinity of the SoCal Sports complex and Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, briefly prompting an order that people in the area shelter in place Friday.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
One of the defendant’s friends had a conversation with Velasquez that erupted into a brawl before the defendant charged at the victim and opened fire, the prosecutor said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And that crowd exploded again when Hutson ended it in overtime.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps relieved from the heavy themes that preceded it, the crowd exploded into a euphoric celebration of singing and dancing.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20out. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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