broach

1
as in to surface
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below the immense whales broaching was a magnificent sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word broach distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of broach are air, express, utter, vent, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

When might air be a better fit than broach?

Although the words air and broach have much in common, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

When could express be used to replace broach?

The words express and broach can be used in similar contexts, but express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

When can utter be used instead of broach?

In some situations, the words utter and broach are roughly equivalent. However, utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When would vent be a good substitute for broach?

The synonyms vent and broach are sometimes interchangeable, but vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

When is it sensible to use voice instead of broach?

While in some cases nearly identical to broach, voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

Example Sentences

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 broach For those struggling to broach the subject, Williams said even talking to your partner about egg prices is a place to start. Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025 According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Dodgers' brain trust never broached the subject of a position change with Betts during Monday's meeting. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 The heads of some of the world’s leading film fetes gathered Tuesday at the Sarajevo Film Festival to discuss the role of festivals, broaching topical issues such as audience development and how growing political tension is affecting both curatorial and strategic decisions. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025 The concept was first broached in 2007, when city officials suggested building a 500-space garage on a portion of the library’s existing 130-space surface lot on Jefferson Avenue between Eagle and Webster streets. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for broach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broach
Verb
  • Broader concerns have also surfaced that even adult users are building unhealthy emotional attachments to AI chatbots, in part because the tools are often designed to be agreeable and supportive.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The notes surfaced in a trove of more than 100 emails between the two friends, obtained by Bloomberg News.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The training introduces the concepts used in stream team monitoring such as hydrology, natural and human impact on streams and monitoring methods.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Punk introduced himself as AJ Lee’s husband.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Among them were countless era-defining releases that are still among the best movies ever made—of any genre—from the haunting Rebecca to the gripping Rear Window, and the ravishing Vertigo to the hair-raising Psycho.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
  • There were times when raising kids, building careers, and paying bills felt overwhelming.
    Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For instance, Charles Kuck, an adjunct professor of law at Emory and immigration law firm partner, appeared on CGTN earlier this month to discuss the effect of deportations on the job market.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • China’s top leaders are scheduled to meet in October to discuss development goals for 2026 to 2030.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After the shooting, the school was placed in a lockdown and officials swept the campus.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Mourners, many of whom were visibly upset and wearing Walmart uniforms, placed electric candles at the memorial.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Broach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broach. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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