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

/ 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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombshell¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see drop a bombshell .

Example Sentences

Ripple, one of the most important companies in the cryptocurrency industry, said Monday evening that the Securities and Exchange Commission is poised to file a bombshell lawsuit against the company over the alleged sale of unlicensed securities.

From Fortune

That fall, Mehta delivered a bombshell with anonymous Jets players ripping quarterback Tim Tebow.

From Washington Post

Ruby is the chocolate world’s newest bombshell, eliciting strong reactions, defying conventions and capturing everyone’s attention.

From Washington Post

That could create a bombshell of sorts, depending on how the topic comes up.

From Fortune

Elsewhere, the banking sector is under fire for bombshell revelations disclosed over the weekend in the “FinCEN files.”

From Fortune

Another bombshell: There is no statute of limitations on rape in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

From The Daily Beast

Now that Lohan is no longer an A-list celebrity, he washed his hands clean of the redheaded bombshell.

From The Daily Beast

And instead of choosing to drop the Thor bombshell at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con, Marvel revealed the change on The View.

From The Daily Beast

In addition, the blond bombshell-ish McCarthy never connected with the largely female audience to which The View is pitched.

From The Daily Beast

A monumental political bombshell, his obscene downfall was a cinematic gimme, sure to set screenwriter hearts aflutter.

From The Daily Beast

Had a bombshell fallen into the midst of the ladies of the harem, they could not have been more surprised.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not that, however, which brought their hilarity to an end, abrupt as though a bombshell had burst in their midst.

From Project Gutenberg

If a bombshell had exploded under his feet our middy could hardly have been taken more by surprise.

From Project Gutenberg

He describes this vigorous polemical treatise as "flung like a bombshell among my opponents."

From Project Gutenberg

Had a bombshell been exploded among the fossilized professors it had been less disturbing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• awe
• bump
• collapse
• confusion
• consternation
• disturbance
• earthquake
• excitement
• impact
• injury
• jolt
• scare
• trauma