break the news
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.
So when I called him to break the news, he started crying.
From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026
It wasn’t easy to go into Lazarus’ office to break the news about her condition after just six months on the job and a massive task ahead.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026
When Neil died in 1965, it fell to Kai to phone their parents, who were in Italy, and break the news.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025
Balde said he was "devastated" and had to break the news to his wife.
From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025
No way I’m going to be the one to break the news to him.
From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass
![]()
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.