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Synonyms

bombshell

American  
[bom-shel] / ˈbɒmˌʃɛl /

noun

  1. a bomb.

  2. something or someone having a sudden and sensational effect.

    The news of his resignation was a bombshell.
bombshell British  
/ ˈbɒmˌʃɛl /

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
bombshell Idioms  

  1. see drop a bombshell.

Etymology

Origin of bombshell

1700–10; 1925–30 bombshell for def. 2; bomb + shell

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A new bombshell has just entered the villa.

From BBC

And when the next bombshell research report drops, ask yourself: Do I own the companies in the obituary section or the companies writing the eulogy?

From MarketWatch

The news also dropped like a bombshell in the Senegalese capital, Dakar - but for the opposite reason.

From BBC

While some fans have declared "Xbox is back" following the Project Helix reveal, others have pointed out that the news isn't exactly a bombshell.

From BBC

They survived a delayed start because of South African wildfires and an invasion from American bombshells, but the latest Love Island: All Stars winners have been revealed.

From BBC

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.