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Synonyms

outbreak

American  
[out-breyk] / ˈaʊtˌbreɪk /

noun

  1. a sudden breaking break out or occurrence, especially of something bad or unpleasant; eruption.

    the outbreak of war.

  2. a sudden and active manifestation.

    an outbreak of hives.

  3. a sudden increase in the incidence of a disease or medical condition in a particular place or population: a worldwide polio outbreak in the early 1900s.

    a serious outbreak of malaria in northern Uganda;

    a worldwide polio outbreak in the early 1900s.

  4. an outburst.

    an outbreak of temper.

  5. an insurrection, revolt, or mutiny.

  6. a public disturbance; riot.

outbreak British  
/ ˈaʊtˌbreɪk /

noun

  1. a sudden, violent, or spontaneous occurrence, esp of disease or strife

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of outbreak

First recorded in 1595–1605; out- + break

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Looking ahead: “This an encouraging report but renewed tariff uncertainty and the outbreak of war over the weekend threaten to derail improving sentiment and the sector’s nascent recovery,” Nationwide financial market economist Oren Klachkin said.

From MarketWatch

An internal document in November listed Beyda as leading five of 16 new strategic initiatives, including updating the CDC’s agencywide response to outbreaks and crises, downsizing animal research and enhancing surveillance of novel pathogens.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors were bracing for futures to start trading later today, with the price of crude oil expected to jump in reaction to the outbreak of conflict in Iran this weekend.

From Barron's

The text did not mention the outbreak of the Iran conflict, instead citing "a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals" as their reasons for the increase.

From Barron's

Previously, Macron said the "outbreak" carries "grave consequences for international peace and security", and warned that ongoing escalation is "dangerous for all".

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.