Outbreak
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈaʊtbɹeɪk/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Outbreak is a noun meaning An eruption; the sudden appearance of a rash, disease, etc.
Meaning
An eruption; the sudden appearance of a rash, disease, etc.
More Meanings
- A sudden increase.
- (figurative) An outburst or sudden eruption, especially of violence and mischief.
- Synonym of breakout (“escape from prison”).
- (intransitive) To burst out or break forth.
Example Sentences
Any epidemic outbreak causes understandable panic.
There has been an outbreak of vandalism at the school.
There has been an outbreak of broken windows in the street.
One such investigation described how kindness can be contagious. It was sparked by reports of an outbreak of kindness on a cold December morning in 2012.
Word Forms
- outbreaks
- outbreaking
- outbroke
- outbroken
Synonyms for outbreak
Depending on context, synonyms include outburst, tumult, breakout.
Antonyms for outbreak
Common opposites include inbreak.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include outburst, burst, flare-up, rupture, blowout, explosion.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.