Outbreak — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk/ out·break

Meaning & Definition of Outbreak

Outbreak (noun)

  1. a sudden or violent increase in activity or currency
  2. a sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
  3. a sudden increase in numbers of a harmful organism and especially an insect within a particular area

Outbreak (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outburst, spurt
    related: recrudescence, recurrence, renewal, binge, jag, spree, boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn, epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm, deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley, commotion, furor, uproar
    near: calm, doldrums, slump

  2. open fighting against authority (as one's own government)

    "the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency"

    similar: insurgence, insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, revolution, rising, uprising
    related: coup, coup d'état, overthrow, misprision, sedition, treachery, treason, sabotage, subversion
    near: counterinsurgency, counterrevolution

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Outbreak

The most common words with a similar meaning to Outbreak:

burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outburst, spurt, insurgence, insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, revolution, rising, uprising

Related Words for Outbreak

recrudescence, recurrence, renewal, binge, jag, spree, boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn, epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm, deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley, commotion, furor, uproar, coup, coup d'état, overthrow, misprision, sedition, treachery

Near Antonyms of Outbreak

calm, doldrums, slump, counterinsurgency, counterrevolution

Origin & Etymology of Outbreak

First known use: 1562

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Outbreak

Frequently Asked Questions about Outbreak

What does "Outbreak" mean?

"Outbreak" means a sudden or violent increase in activity or currency. As a noun, it is defined as: a sudden or violent increase in activity or currency. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Outbreak"?

Other words for "Outbreak" include burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter and outburst. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Outbreak" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Outbreak"?

There are 51 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Outbreak". Common alternatives include burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outburst, spurt and insurgence.

How do you use "Outbreak" in a sentence?

Examples of "Outbreak" in a sentence: "there was an immediate outbreak of paper shuffling and a pretense of work when the supervisor passed through the room"; "the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency".

Is "Outbreak" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Outbreak" is a noun.

Is "Outbreak" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Outbreak" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Outbreak"?

"Outbreak" is pronounced /ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk/ and divided into syllables as out·break.

What is the origin of the word "Outbreak"?

First known use: 1562.