1
as in flurries
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
there was an immediate outbreak of paper shuffling and a pretense of work when the supervisor passed through the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uprisings
open fighting against authority (as one's own government)
the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outbreaks
Israeli attacks on Syrian soil since Assad’s fall, as well as recent outbreaks of fighting in the Sweida region of southern Syria, underscore the ongoing fragility of the Syrian government and concerns over its ability to contain violence and migration outside of its borders.
—
David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
One study found that at least 11% of vaccinated children in measles outbreaks acquired infection through contact with a child who had a vaccine exemption.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Chlorine will still be used as a secondary disinfectant to prevent bacterial outbreaks when sitting in pipes, Karlstrand said, but the primary use of UV decontamination will limit the byproducts of chlorine.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
The virus, which is spread by bodily fluids, is endemic in animal populations in Central and West Africa, and there are periodic outbreaks.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
However, the reality is COVID outbreaks are still prevalent, and those more likely to experience sizable setbacks from the virus still prefer to receive additional protection.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
FoodNet surveillance was scaled back because funding hasn’t kept pace with the costs of running the program, according to NBC — not because outbreaks have declined.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Thousands have been released from months of detention in camps and jails without charge to tell of brutal conditions, including overcrowding, scant food supplies, inadequate medical attention and scabies outbreaks.
—Natalie Melzer, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
That level is considered inadequate to protect against outbreaks of highly contagious diseases like measles.
—Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
One study found that at least 11% of vaccinated children in measles outbreaks acquired infection through contact with a child who had a vaccine exemption.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Chlorine will still be used as a secondary disinfectant to prevent bacterial outbreaks when sitting in pipes, Karlstrand said, but the primary use of UV decontamination will limit the byproducts of chlorine.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
The virus, which is spread by bodily fluids, is endemic in animal populations in Central and West Africa, and there are periodic outbreaks.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
However, the reality is COVID outbreaks are still prevalent, and those more likely to experience sizable setbacks from the virus still prefer to receive additional protection.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
FoodNet surveillance was scaled back because funding hasn’t kept pace with the costs of running the program, according to NBC — not because outbreaks have declined.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Thousands have been released from months of detention in camps and jails without charge to tell of brutal conditions, including overcrowding, scant food supplies, inadequate medical attention and scabies outbreaks.
—Natalie Melzer, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
That level is considered inadequate to protect against outbreaks of highly contagious diseases like measles.
—Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreaks
Noun
-
Thin air and unpredictable wind flurries near Everest’s highest elevations prevent the drones from operating at some of the final camps leading to the summit.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The riot in Milwaukee, one of scores of uprisings around the United States during the summer of 1967, triggered a citywide lockdown, brought the National Guard — and laid bare the city's racial divide.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The Dalai Lama has been the key figure quelling violence when grassroots dissatisfaction has escalated into episodic uprisings in Tibet.—
Tenzin Dorjee,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The sound of wheels hitting concrete blends with bursts of laughter and cheers.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
-
One emerging approach gaining traction is called microlearning, a strategy that delivers academic content in short bursts rather than lengthy lessons.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Because of the revolts, Compton says, drumming and African spiritual practices were eventually criminalized in the colonies.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
23 Aug. 2025
-
The Russian Empire would also crush revolts organized by the Crimean Tatars, which saw Russia gain control over the peninsula.—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Howard, a queen bee with a racy reputation, became a scene-stealer with her emotional outbursts and volatile friendship with Maddy (Alexa Demie).—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
With his natural charisma and naked emotion, Thug and Big Bank go all the way back to rapper’s childhood traumas (his apartment complex burning down, his older brother dying in front of him) to try to get to the bottom of his emotional outbursts.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The president can also legally invoke the military under the Insurrection Act, which allows troops to be deployed in order to curb insurrections.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
She’s been shaped by migrations, conquests, philosophies, and rebellions.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
And rebellions, by nature, come in all forms.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outbreaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreaks. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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