as in surprise
something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected
discovering that I had a long-lost sister was an absolute bombshell
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bombshell
Season 7 ended in January 2025 with the bombshell that the deceased Jane's (Silvia Presente) younger sister Fanny (Florrie Wilkinson) may actually be Jamie and Claire's daughter, Faith, whom the couple believed to have died shortly after birth in Paris.
—
Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
The Quicksilver author enjoys reads with shocking bombshells, which should surprise no one who's read her own books.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
The files released Friday contained no real bombshells.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
Among the people who dropped this wild bombshell is Central Florida auctioneer Brigitte Kruse, who’s been locked in a legal battle with Priscilla Presley for some time.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bombshell
Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
The Quicksilver author enjoys reads with shocking bombshells, which should surprise no one who's read her own books.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
The files released Friday contained no real bombshells.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
Among the people who dropped this wild bombshell is Central Florida auctioneer Brigitte Kruse, who’s been locked in a legal battle with Priscilla Presley for some time.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bombshell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombshell
Noun
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Half the enjoyment of these toys is being able to carefully break open the egg to reveal the surprise creature inside.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The design from Takeshi Kata is intensifying hyper-realistic and comes with a surprise sting in its tail, not to mention some gorgeous vistas from the great Chicago lighting designer Heather Gilbert, who send shafts of light into the play’s motel room of the paranoid.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The actors then check her vitals and read paperwork before giving the star a major shock.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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After a volatile 2025 marked by persistent geopolitical shocks, the early days of the new year suggest continuity rather than relief.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The basket and the crowd's reaction gave Calipari a jolt on the sideline.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
5 Jan. 2026
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The Anteaters withstood an early jolt from Cal State Fullerton in their Big West Conference matchup, but came back with several blows of their own in an 86-64 win at Titan Gym.—
Dan Arritt,
Oc Register,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The revelation suggested the committee was no longer functioning as an independent source of guidance but doing Kennedy’s bidding.—
Grayson Logue,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
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The administration has zeroed in on Minnesota following revelations of large-scale fraud involving social service programs in the Minneapolis area.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bombshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombshell. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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