bombshell
1
6.7
- noun
- /ˈbɑmˌʃɛl/
- Archaic
- The military used a new type of bombshell that caused significant damage to the enemy's defenses.
Examples
-
The soldiers were shocked when the enemy launched a devastating bombshell during the battle.
-
Were they descendants of the golden parrots perched on metal swastikas, talons gripping bullets, bombshells in their beaks?
Fiction book (1990) -
The bombshell exploded in the December 13, 2009, issue of the paper.
Academic text (2011) -
China looms ever larger on the international scene as an economic engine, a political force, a military power, and an environmental bombshell.
Academic text (1999) -
But the ultimate bombshell is the laser-guided missile launched at Hank Paulson in Part 4.
Blog text (4) -
The bombshell saw an off-Broadway play starring "Hangover" actor Justin Bartha, and the pair were "completely engrossed in each other" at a cast dinner afterward, a source told the New York Post.
Blog text (5) -
The paratrooper battalion was duly dropped at the Mitla Pass as the detonator for an international bombshell: the French and P242 British landings in Suez.
Fiction book (1993) -
All evidence had indicated that Chinese scientists were at least a year away from squeezing the destructive secrets from the mighty atom, but this bombshell underscored the agency's dangerously feeble espionage efforts in the Far East.
Blog text (5) -
During World War II, the Allies dropped thousands of bombshells on enemy positions to weaken their strongholds.
Synonyms
25
7.7
A weapon that explodes and spreads radioactive material to contaminate an area, not a nuclear bomb
17
8.8
A shell that explodes in the air and scatters small metal balls
11
7.5
A small red firework that makes a very loud bang and can hurt people
11
7.5
A metal object fired from a large gun that often has an explosive inside
10
6.7
A weapon that holds many small explosives which spread out and explode over a wide area
9
4.0
A bomb that can be guided to hit a specific target
5
4.6
A bomb that releases toxic gas when it explodes
4
7.9
A very strong bomb that breaks through thick concrete to explode inside underground shelters
3
5.8
A weapon that releases toxic chemicals when it explodes to kill or harm people
2
6.2
A metal explosive shot from a tank's main gun
2
9.8
A bomb that breaks into many small fast metal pieces to hit soldiers and vehicles
2
6.3
A bomb that starts fires to burn buildings or fuel
1
9.7
A small explosive device released from a larger weapon that spreads out over an area
1
5.6
A bomb you can make explode from far away using a small device you hold
1
5.6
A hidden device that explodes when someone opens a box or envelope
1
7.9
An explosive that a balloon carries to travel far and explode
1
7.6
An explosive hidden in a briefcase that can be made to explode later
1
9.4
A small bomb released from a larger bomb that spreads and explodes over a wide area
1
8.6
An explosive fired from a cannon that releases poisonous gas when it explodes
1
5.1
An explosive device made from plastic explosives that can be shaped to fit small spaces
1
8.1
A weapon that explodes and sends metal pieces at high speed to hurt people and damage things nearby
1
9.9
A small unexploded bomb left behind after being dropped
1
5.9
An explosive hidden inside a package or envelope that explodes when opened
1
7.6
A strong bomb that goes through hard targets before it explodes
1
9.9
An explosive shell that makes a high, fast sound and then a loud bang
1
8.1
A weapon that explodes underwater at a set depth to attack submarines
1
4.4
A large explosive object that makes a strong blast and many flying pieces
1
9.9
A bomb that spreads fuel and ignites to make a very hot, powerful blast
1
8.2
An explosive that sends many small fast pieces to hurt people
A small fast bomb fired from a gun that makes a loud whistling sound and then explodes with a bang
A weapon that sprays flammable liquid into the air then sets it on fire to make a large explosion
Idioms
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word bombshell comes from the parts bomb and shell, where a 'shell' is the metal case fired from a gun that holds the explosive. It was used for an explosive fired in war, which is why bombshell can mean a heavy explosive device.