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View synonyms for

bombshell

[ bom-shel ]

noun

  1. a bomb.
  2. something or someone having a sudden and sensational effect:

    The news of his resignation was a bombshell.



bombshell

/ ˈɒˌʃɛ /

noun

  1. (esp formerly) a bomb or artillery shell
  2. a shocking or unwelcome surprise

    the news of his death was a bombshell

  3. informal.
    an attractive girl or woman (esp in the phrase blonde bombshell )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bombshell1

1700–10; 1925–30 bombshell fordef 2; bomb + shell
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Idioms and Phrases

see drop a bombshell .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He claims more bombshells are on the way.

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Both have fallen more than 15% since Trump dropped his tariff bombshell.

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The markets believe that US President Donald Trump's tariff bombshell is expected to raise prices, lower demand and reduce profits, making companies less valuable and more inclined to cut investment and jobs.

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When Jeffrey Goldberg published a bombshell story outlining how some of the most senior US officials had mistakenly shared sensitive information with him, he obtained the biggest scoop of the year.

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One month in, she dropped the bombshell - I was not coming back to London until I had reformed and had earned enough GCSEs to continue my education.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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