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
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Recent Examples of bombshell
Five stories lead coverage in The Kansas City Star today, spanning a courtroom bombshell at KU Med, Royals ballpark speculation, a violent night in Kansas City, World Cup road construction updates and the arrival of patio season.
—
Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
But the pregame bombshell, one that had been hinted at before Saturday, scrambled that speculation.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
The news in October that L’Oréal was to acquire Creed and partner with Kering in a joint venture, with the right to enter into a 50-year exclusive license to create products for Gucci once its license with Coty expires in 2028, acted as a further bombshell for the market.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026
Others said the ad was regressive, highlighting a blonde bombshell and catering to the objectifying male gaze.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bombshell
Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
But the pregame bombshell, one that had been hinted at before Saturday, scrambled that speculation.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
The news in October that L’Oréal was to acquire Creed and partner with Kering in a joint venture, with the right to enter into a 50-year exclusive license to create products for Gucci once its license with Coty expires in 2028, acted as a further bombshell for the market.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026
Others said the ad was regressive, highlighting a blonde bombshell and catering to the objectifying male gaze.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bombshell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombshell
Noun
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Tom Brady, who was the victim of Netflix’s last celebrity roast in 2024, made a surprise appearance at Kevin Hart’s roast Sunday to launch a few jokes at the comedian before the night got underway.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
11 May 2026
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Deadline also asked Coogan about the surprise exit of Helena Bonham Carter, who left The White Lotus around a week into production and was later replaced by Laura Dern.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Retail’s hiring surge reflects growing optimism that consumers will keep spending in the face of economic shocks, Stahle said.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
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Strains of hantavirus can result in hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, characterized by fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock, like in individuals on the MV Hondius cruise ship, according to the World Health Organization.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Damon did all that and helped start the show off with an extra jolt of energy by returning as Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the cold open, along with last week’s ringer, Aziz Ansari, as FBI Director Kash Patel.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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But each of those Eastern Conference rebuilds does not figure to receive an immediate jolt up the standings with one more lottery pick.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Because Hunt knows that McCartney has heard that several times a day for 50 years, and such revelations are at minimum uninteresting and often invasive for a mega-celebrity.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The Broward School Board plans to consider an outside investigation, more training and more oversight in response to the revelation that the district’s logo and $150 in district money were used in connection to a Democratic fundraiser.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bombshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombshell. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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