outbreak
sudden start and spread of disease
A time when a disease suddenly appears and spreads quickly in one area or group of people.
an outbreak of [disease] in [a place]
- Health officials are working to contain a measles outbreak in the region.
- The city declared a state of emergency after an outbreak of cholera.
- A small food poisoning outbreak was traced back to a local restaurant.
- Vaccination helped prevent a major outbreak of the virus.
- The report warned that crowded camps could lead to a serious disease outbreak.
- There was an outbreak of flu at my school.
- Doctors moved quickly to stop the outbreak.
- The outbreak started in a small village.
- People were afraid because the outbreak spread fast.
- The news talked about an outbreak in the capital city.
sudden start of war or violence
The moment when war or serious violence suddenly starts between groups or countries.
the outbreak of [war/violence/hostilities]
- Many families fled the country at the outbreak of war.
- Curfews were introduced after an outbreak of violence in the capital.
- Diplomats worked hard to stop the outbreak of hostilities along the border.
- Economic tensions contributed to the sudden outbreak of unrest and street fighting.
- The agreement delayed, but could not prevent, the outbreak of civil war.
- People were afraid of an outbreak of war.
- The city was quiet before the outbreak of violence.
- Talks failed, and there was an outbreak of fighting on the border.
- At the outbreak of war, many soldiers were sent overseas.
- The government tried to prevent an outbreak of hostilities.
sudden burst of activity or emotion
A time when many people suddenly show the same strong feeling or action, like laughing or protesting.
an outbreak of [emotion/activity]
- Her comment was followed by an outbreak of laughter from the audience.
- The decision sparked an outbreak of protests across major cities.
- There was an outbreak of cheering when the team scored in the final minute.
- Rumors about shortages caused an outbreak of panic buying in supermarkets.
- After hours of tension, there was an outbreak of applause when the deal was signed.
- The joke caused an outbreak of laughter in the class.
- The news led to an outbreak of protests in the streets.
- There was an outbreak of cheering when the singer came on stage.
- The announcement started an outbreak of panic in the office.
- The speech ended with an outbreak of loud applause.
- Base: outbreak
- Plural: outbreaks
outbreak of disease
1sudden start and spread of disease
A time when a disease suddenly appears and spreads in one area or group of people.
- The government is preparing for a possible outbreak of disease after the floods.
- Poor sanitation can lead to an outbreak of disease in refugee camps.
outbreak of hostilities
1sudden start of organized fighting
The time when fighting between groups or countries suddenly starts.
- Talks continued up to the very outbreak of hostilities.
- Many diplomats were evacuated from the region at the outbreak of hostilities.
outbreak of laughter
1sudden burst of shared laughter
A time when many people suddenly start laughing at the same moment.
- His mistake on stage caused an outbreak of laughter from the audience.
- There was an outbreak of laughter when the child gave a very honest answer.
outbreak of violence
1sudden start of serious violence
A time when serious fighting or attacks suddenly start in a place.
- Police were deployed after an outbreak of violence in the city center.
- The speech was blamed for the outbreak of violence at the rally.
outbreak of war
1moment when war begins suddenly
The time when a war starts suddenly.
- Many people left the country at the outbreak of war.
- At the outbreak of war, factories switched to producing weapons.