Definitions

bombshell

[bom-shel] / ˈbɒmˌʃɛl /

NOUN

blow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

calamity casualty disappointment disaster jolt letdown mishap setback shock tragedy

STRONG

affliction balk chagrin comedown debacle disgruntlement frustration misadventure misfortune reverse upset

WEAK

bolt from the blue

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage blessing boon good fortune good luck miracle success wonder

STRONG

triumph

WEAK

luck

NOUN

bomb

Synonyms

STRONGEST

device explosive mine missile projectile rocket torpedo

STRONG

charge grenade shell ticker

WEAK

Molotov cocktail atom bomb hydrogen bomb nuclear bomb

NOUN

eye opener

Synonyms

STRONGEST

epiphany shocker

WEAK

disclosure discovery divulgence exposure exposé lightning bolt sign surprise

NOUN

hoo-ha

Synonyms

STRONG

ado agitation brouhaha commotion excitement furor fuss hoo-hah hullabaloo ruckus scandal sensation stir to-do tumult uproar

WEAK

phenomenon thrill

Antonyms

STRONG

calm peace

NOUN

jolt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bump punch reversal setback shock

STRONG

blow bounce clash collision concussion impact jar jerk jog jounce jump kick lurch percussion quiver shake shot start surprise thunderbolt

WEAK

double whammy

NOUN

sensation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

excitement phenomenon prodigy thrill

STRONG

agitation bomb commotion flash furor hit marvel miracle portent scandal stir stunner surprise wonder wow

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm

STRONG

calmness peace

NOUN

shock

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

breakdown clash collision concussion crash distress encounter hysteria jarring percussion prostration ram start stroke stupefaction stupor turn upset whammy wreck

WEAK

double whammy eye-opener traumatism

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm calmness composure tranquility

WEAK

expectation

NOUN

surprise

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amazement astonishment awe bewilderment consternation curiosity disappointment jolt miracle revelation shock wonder

STRONG

abruptness attack disillusion epiphany eureka fortune godsend incredulity kick marvel miscalculation phenomenon portent precipitance precipitation precipitousness prodigy rarity start stupefaction suddenness thunderbolt whammy wonderment

WEAK

astoundment curveball eye-opener unexpected unforeseen

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calmness composure coolness expectation happiness indifference

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.

They will have to wait longer after Amazon.com dropped a bombshell on the industry.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

After the Instagram bombshell, fans believe David Beckham broke his silence while speaking about the power of social media during an interview in January on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the organization for regulators from every U.S. state, in 2024 published a bombshell study revealing that the ratings on insurers’ private-credit investments were routinely inflated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

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 • Mar. 19, 2026

Then my mother dropped the bombshell: She was expecting another baby—a girl—the day before my birthday.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

bombshell

Example Sentences

Related Words