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 The commission’s bombshell findings — including claims of underworld infiltration into unions — gave Mr. Mulroney his first taste of the national political spotlight. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 Read on for the biggest bombshells revealed on night one of Where Is Wendy Williams? Brianne Tracy, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 And in January 2023, Prince Harry published his bombshell memoir, Spare. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024 Temptations and drama break up couples as bombshells arrive and connections are threatened. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2024 The bombshell revelation comes as U.S. forces step up counter-measures amid fears of an escalating Middle Eastern conflict. Forbes Daily, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 But the bombshell was that Putin is ready and willing to settle the Ukraine war. Ron Hart, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2024 The silver-haired bombshell would make for a stellar bachelorette. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 10 Feb. 2024 In a bombshell television interview on Israel’s Channel 12 this month, Gadi Eisenkot, a centrist politician and former military chief who joined Mr. Netanyahu’s wartime coalition in October, said the welfare of the hostages had to take precedence. Neri Zilber, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jan. 2024

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bombshell was in 1708

Dictionary Entries Near bombshell

Cite this Entry

“Bombshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombshell. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bombshell

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

More from Merriam-Webster on bombshell

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