bombshell
noun
bomb·shell
ˈbäm-ˌshel 
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
Though they got engaged on the season finale — and remained together throughout reunion taping — a bombshell edit at the end of the final episode informed viewers that Rae and Lexi had called off their nuptials.
—
Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2023
That bombshell set off an explosion of political ambition, producing a running list of potential First Congressional District candidates that read like a roll call of current and former officials.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
The bombshell article even included with it the release of videos showing the Navy's encounters with strange objects.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
There were steamy challenges, bombshells brought in to test the couples, messy breakups and tear-jerking reunions.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2023
Even after seven seasons of wild storylines, many Riverdale fans are still trying to wrap their heads around the series finale's bombshell twist.
—Kelly Martinez, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023
Oher, 37, alleged in a bombshell court filing Monday that he had never actually been adopted by Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy, who took him in as a teenager — that he had actually been placed into a conservatorship.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2023
On Monday’s episode of the TLC reality show, Yara dropped a family planning bombshell on her husband Jovi.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2023
Another gorgeous blonde with a flair for feigning ignorance, Simpson had already claimed the other side of that coin—the approachable, girl-next-door bombshell.
—Time, 18 Aug. 2023
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Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2023
That bombshell set off an explosion of political ambition, producing a running list of potential First Congressional District candidates that read like a roll call of current and former officials.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
The bombshell article even included with it the release of videos showing the Navy's encounters with strange objects.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
There were steamy challenges, bombshells brought in to test the couples, messy breakups and tear-jerking reunions.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2023
Even after seven seasons of wild storylines, many Riverdale fans are still trying to wrap their heads around the series finale's bombshell twist.
—Kelly Martinez, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023
Oher, 37, alleged in a bombshell court filing Monday that he had never actually been adopted by Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy, who took him in as a teenager — that he had actually been placed into a conservatorship.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2023
On Monday’s episode of the TLC reality show, Yara dropped a family planning bombshell on her husband Jovi.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2023
Another gorgeous blonde with a flair for feigning ignorance, Simpson had already claimed the other side of that coin—the approachable, girl-next-door bombshell.
—Time, 18 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bombshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing bombshell
Articles Related to bombshell
Dictionary Entries Near bombshell
Cite this Entry
“Bombshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombshell. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
bombshell
noun
bomb·shell
-ˌshel
2
: a great surprise
More from Merriam-Webster on bombshell
Nglish: Translation of bombshell for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of bombshell for Arabic Speakers
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