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 The fire broke out in a building on Harlem Avenue near Le Moyne Street. — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Investigators allege the violence began after two cars entered a parking lot and a fight involving about 10 people broke out. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Exactly a week earlier, a migrant boat with 62 people overturned about 100 miles to the southeast off Mona Island after a fight broke out on the vessel. — David Goodhue october 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 With front lines frozen, infighting among pro-government factions — which had never been the happiest of allies — broke out into open war, causing a still-unresolved rift between Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Weather wasn’t the only challenge, as a literal war broke out during production. — William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026 Two YouTube creators-turned-directors broke out in a big way. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026 And a fire broke out at an oil facility in the Saudi capital, with no details released on the cause. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 The utility this weekend also de-energized lines around a brush fire that broke out Saturday, prompting evacuation orders several miles south of Lahaina town, the site of the 2023 deadly fires. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke out

Verb

Widespread violence erupted across France over the weekend, as rioters and looters ransacked storefronts, clashed with police and set fire to municipal buildings.

— Max Butterworth, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Demonstrations erupted into riots on Saturday, with almost 2,400 people arrested, shops looted or damaged and buildings covered in graffiti as violent groups clashed with police in cities across the country, according to the interior ministry.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of erupted

Verb

That's because after World War II, as suburbs exploded, cities across the country mandated bigger and bigger lot sizes for single-family homes only.

— Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
Stafford did just that, using his star receiver Puka Nacua, who exploded for 17 catches on 25 targets for 138 yards and a touchdown, to get into field goal range for kicker Harrison Mevis to try a 48-yard field goal for the win.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026