OUTBREAKS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

outbreaks

noun

plural of outbreak

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in insurrections

open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency

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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 outbreaks Since the beginning of last year, large outbreaks have been reported in several states, including Texas and Utah, as well as South Carolina, which had been the largest with 997 cases reported. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 What readers are saying The conversation explores the impact of political and personal beliefs on public health, particularly in relation to measles outbreaks. — Leana Wen, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026 Federal health officials say their data on dengue outbreaks is limited. — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 As new vaccines are under development elsewhere, Congo started vaccinating health workers with the Ervebo vaccine which was effective during previous Ebola outbreaks caused by a different, more common virus. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 Indonesia is also seeing significant wildfire outbreaks, with this fire season currently on track to rival the worst on record there, which occurred during a previous super El Niño in 2015 to 2016. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Some states that aren't currently experiencing large measles outbreaks have notified residents of possible exposures. — Rachel Carlson, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026 Control Apple maggot flies are closely monitored in susceptible regions, and small outbreaks can sometimes be managed without conventional pesticides. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 Some food safety scientists blamed the outbreaks on federal cuts to public health. — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbreaks

Noun

The flurries of pigment inside them were dispersed by bursts of air delivered through the base of the box.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Macaday said some higher elevations in California have already seen flurries over the past month and a half.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of flurries

Noun

But more appealing to me were the smaller bursts of creativity.

— Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Nobody is more confident working with the Kings than Colter, whose swagger and comfort with bursts of goofiness are well-deployed, albeit with less emotional range in the early-going.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

His teeth desert his mouth; his digestion revolts; his heart appears frequently to announce its forthcoming resignation.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Voice had been exercised repeatedly at annual general meetings, say-on-pay revolts had forced concessions and proxy advisors had opposed management with escalating frequency.

— Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of revolts

Noun

Michael Douglas was subject to violent and angry outbursts as well.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
There was no notice to staff that swings in blood sugar levels can cause the kind of emotional distress and behavioral outbursts that got Christian in trouble.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of outbursts

Noun

From 1896 to 1897, the region experienced what would come to be known as the First Chimurenga, a period of uprisings by the Indigenous Ndebele and Shona people against colonial policies.

— Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
There were, of course, more people protesting than in 1848, the first modern wave of uprisings, known as the Springtime of the Peoples.

— Rachel Nolan, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of uprisings

Noun

Before, the two forces had been allies, working together to crush rebellions in Darfur, but also pro-democracy movements that sprung up after the ouster of Sudanese dictator Omar Al-Bashir in 2019.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Throughout this season, Camille and her conversations with The Algorithm make mention of other rebellions.

— Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of rebellions

Noun

That mobility occasionally allowed for communication and coordination during mutinies.

— Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
This includes leader assassination attempts by political opponents or lone wolves or mutinies by disgruntled soldiers who might even march on the presidential palace to demand higher pay, promotions or other policy concessions.

— John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025

Definition of mutinies

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“Outbreaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbreaks. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of outbreaks

noun

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