bombshell

noun

bomb·​shell ˈbäm-ˌshel 

1

: bomb sense 1a

2

a

: one that is stunning, amazing, or devastating

The book was a political bombshell.

b

: a person who is the cause and object of sensational and usually widespread attention, excitement, or attraction

a blonde bombshell [=a glamorously attractive blonde woman]

Synonyms of bombshell

• surprise
• shock
• jolt
• revelation

Examples of bombshell in a Sentence

discovering that I had a long-lost sister was an absolute bombshell

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2021, Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, sat down for a bombshell, tell-all interview with Winfrey. —Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025

There will be more bombshells, more shock waves to come. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

After Julia outed their affair in the one true bombshell of the season and Adriana wowed everyone by bringing up a Haitian mortician who got a free coffee maker (an excellent Halloween costume, BTW), the next season will just be the two of them sniping and shouting. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Kendall Jenner followed suit in 2023, emulating the blonde bombshell in her iconic 1953 Life photoshoot for Halloween. —Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bombshell

• drop a bombshell

Rhymes for bombshell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel
• dispel

Kids Definition

bombshell

noun

bomb·​shell -ˌshel 

1

: bomb entry 1 sense 1a

2

: a great surprise