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 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 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

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 23 Sep. 2023.

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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