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Definitions

break the news

VERB
reveal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledge admit affirm announce concede confess declare divulge explain expose inform publish report tell
STRONG
avow betray broadcast communicate impart leak notify proclaim talk unfold utter
WEAK
bring out into open bring to light come out with get out of system give away give out give the low-down let cat out of the bag let fall let on let out let slip make known make plain make public put cards on table
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conceal contradict deny disavow dispute dissent hide refuse reject repudiate secrete suppress
STRONG
keep keep quiet withhold
WEAK
cover
VERB
tell
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advise announce confess declare disclose explain express inform instruct mention notify order report reveal say speak state summon
STRONG
acquaint apprise authorize bid command direct divulge enjoin impart leak level proclaim recite represent require utter
WEAK
call upon clue in fill in give facts give out keep posted lay open leave word let in on let know let slip make known open up put before reel off spit it out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ask be quiet conceal deny disavow hide keep secret question secrete suppress withhold
STRONG
deceive keep mislead
WEAK
estimate figure guess listen misunderstand

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.

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

It fell to Barshay to break the news.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Balde said he was "devastated" and had to break the news to his wife.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Filled with relief, then dread, Hannah began calling her friends to break the news.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2025

Somehow I'll earn the money to pay for the car repairs, and I'll have to break the news to my own parents, but all of that doesn't matter.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

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