bombshell

noun

bomb·​shell ˈbäm-ˌshel How to pronounce bombshell (audio)
1
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]

Examples of bombshell in a Sentence

discovering that I had a long-lost sister was an absolute bombshell
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Her hair, her aesthetic, her caricature of the blonde bombshell all reminded me of Lana. Meg Pillow july 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025 One of the three heavy-hitter blonde bombshells of Hollywood’s golden age — the others, of course, being Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield — Van Doren is 94 years young and living a helluva life. Rance Collins, IndieWire, 28 July 2025 There are already big names, including former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but the bombshell everyone is bracing for is Harris' return bid whether for California governor or a third run at U.S. president. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 July 2025 White House Communications Director Steven Cheung on Wednesday also denied the Journal’s latest bombshell in a statement to Newsweek. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bombshell

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bombshell was in 1708

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bombshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombshell. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

bombshell

noun
bomb·​shell -ˌshel How to pronounce bombshell (audio)
1
2
: a great surprise

More from Merriam-Webster on bombshell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!