broach

1
as in to surface
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below the immense whales broaching was a magnificent sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word broach distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of broach are air, express, utter, vent, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

When might air be a better fit than broach?

Although the words air and broach have much in common, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

When could express be used to replace broach?

The words express and broach can be used in similar contexts, but express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

When can utter be used instead of broach?

In some situations, the words utter and broach are roughly equivalent. However, utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When would vent be a good substitute for broach?

The synonyms vent and broach are sometimes interchangeable, but vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

When is it sensible to use voice instead of broach?

While in some cases nearly identical to broach, voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of broach Iacono recalled that most of the family avoided discussing the elephant in the room, but his son was the first to broach the subject. David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025 Another large topic broached in the sit-down interview was the ethics and morals that inform ChatGPT and its stewards. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025 In his pre-match press conference on Saturday afternoon, head coach Hansi Flick is sure to be broached on the topic and asked whether Lamine will be fit enough to play against Valencia. Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 People left the training feeling more comfortable and confident about not only broaching the subject of suicide, but connecting people in crisis to resources. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for broach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broach
Verb
  • While the city is in the process of implementing 39 recommendations from the audit, many have questioned the level of progress made after several incidents surfaced in the wake of the audit — including instances in which more animals died or received questionable care.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Rumors of a possible clash with his top rival and former ally Roman Reigns have surfaced.
    Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • So in 2017, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases formally recommended parents introduce children under the age of 3 to allergens like nuts.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Aquatic nuisance species are non-native plants and animals that can cause ecological or economic harm, or even harm to human health if introduced to a body of water.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For the event, which raises money for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Gomez exuded old Hollywood elegance in a glamorous black gown featuring sparkly embellishments.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Sanders backed Platner’s campaign, and the senatorial hopeful has raised millions of dollars for his campaign.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Since Olympic charter flights to Milan will be departing from the New York area, and because the Islanders had been promised an event in February 2026, the possibility of doing a big press availability was discussed as an alternative.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Elsewhere in the podcast, Shallow discusses her penchant for using femininity and flirtation as reality TV weapons, and how that nickname cast a shadow on her real-life relationships.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In April, ahead of QPR’s final Championship match of the season away to Sunderland, Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers pointed out that in laboratory experiments, the glasses were placed in pure water at 90 degrees Celsius for up to 112 days.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Broach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broach. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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