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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.

So when I called him to break the news, he started crying.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

However, the scientific paper detailing the discovery was published sooner than expected, meaning he had to break the news to him during a video call instead.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 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

Theo does consider marriage and weighs when to break the news to his parents.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman