broach

Definition of broachnext
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 Matar repeatedly broached the fatwa with contacts in messaging apps in 2021 and 2022, according to exhibits shown in court. ABC News, 29 July 2026 This kind of arrangement isn’t new—when ARTnews broached the subject with New York’s Michael Hort, who collects with his wife Susan, he was puzzled as to why there should even be a story about it. Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026 Smith didn’t broach the allegations with Miller, not wanting to add stress. Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026 The report also broached the topic of culture and workplace concerns. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for broach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broach
Verb
  • The issue first surfaced in February when Croatian police and Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, arrested 13 people suspected of illegally importing and disposing of hazardous waste.
    Darko Bandic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But partisanship surfaced even in the ritual public mourning for the two women.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Aflac initially gained a bigger profile after introducing its duck mascot in 1999, in ads crafted by Kaplan Thaler Group, an independent agency that was eventually acquired by Publicis Groupe of France.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Leaving behind the 1996–2000 era of clunky plastic telephones with long cords and no internet, Scream 4 adapts to the times and introduces cell phones, webcams, laptops, and social media.
    Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • My hope is that with so much talk about affordability and economic growth, a voter or two would raise a hand and ask about price controls and credit-card caps.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The injury was raised again during a frantic final 24 hours of the transfer window when Crystal Palace emerged as rival suitors for Fofana.
    Michael Walker, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In my 17 seasons in the professional game, dealing with persistent infringement was never discussed at a training meeting, and no single method was promoted as best practice.
    Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The novelist and journalist Mary McCarthy, by contrast, is discussed at length, though her inclusion even in the second sense seems unconvincing.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As Pourrain recalls, he was placed inside an unmarked van, with his hands and ankles handcuffed.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Two of the players, Zxavian Harris and Dae'Quan Wright, have been participating in team activities, but were not placed on the roster in advance of last Saturday's 51-10 season-opening victory over Clemson.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Broach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broach. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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