bombshell

bomb·shell | \ ˈbäm-ˌshel

How to pronounce bombshell (audio)

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Definition of bombshell

1 : bomb sense 1a

2a : 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]

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Examples of bombshell in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Ephrat Livni On Monday, the US Supreme Court dropped a jurisprudential bombshell—in the form of an order—that has legal scholars and court commentators abuzz. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "The US Supreme Court may be trying to dodge Trump’s tax case," 29 Apr. 2020 Tonight's episode of the futuristic HBO drama finally unveiled the real backstory behind one of its new main characters, Caleb Nichols, with one of its classic, expectation-busting bombshells. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Westworld Just Revealed Caleb's True Identity in Episode 7," 27 Apr. 2020 The bombshell, which Trump has disputed, raised the prospect that the Senate might bring in Bolton under subpoena. — Tom Benning, Dallas News, "Senate votes 51-49 to reject new witnesses in Trump impeachment trial, paving way for eventual acquittal vote," 1 Feb. 2020 On Monday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown dropped a bombshell on Oregon’s food industry, closing on-premises dining at restaurants and bars across the state in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. — Michael Russell, oregonlive, "Oregon restaurant and bar closure FAQ: What’s closed, what’s open and what comes next," 19 Mar. 2020 Now a group at the center of Putin’s aspirations, the Russian Academy of Sciences, has dropped a bombshell into the plans. — Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, "Putin wanted Russian science to top the world. Then a huge academic scandal blew up.," 17 Jan. 2020 Some royal insiders think Meghan could make a similar bombshell move. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Reportedly Offered $1M for a Tell-All Interview," 12 Apr. 2020 The long-hidden truth, revealed with distracting deliberateness, is hardly the intended bombshell. — Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Lost Husband': Film Review," 9 Apr. 2020 The bombshell move to remove Michael Atkinson comes as the administration is struggling to cope with a coronavirus pandemic that has killed thousands of Americans. — Author: Ellen Nakashima, Josh Dawsey, Shane Harris, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump will ﬁre intelligence watchdog at center of impeachment episode," 4 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bombshell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Bombshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombshell. Accessed 31 May. 2020.

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