bombshell
2
6.7
- noun
- /ˈbɑmˌʃɛl/
- Archaic
:
proyectil
- 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
32
8.8
A shell that explodes in the air and scatters small metal balls
10
7.7
A weapon that explodes and spreads radioactive material to contaminate an area, not a nuclear bomb
8
7.5
A metal object fired from a large gun that often has an explosive inside
8
6.7
A weapon that holds many small explosives which spread out and explode over a wide area
7
4.0
A bomb that can be guided to hit a specific target
5
7.5
A small red firework that makes a very loud bang and can hurt people
3
7.9
A very strong bomb that breaks through thick concrete to explode inside underground shelters
2
4.6
A bomb that releases toxic gas when it explodes
1
6.2
A metal explosive shot from a tank's main gun
1
9.7
A small explosive device released from a larger weapon that spreads out over an area
1
5.8
A weapon that releases toxic chemicals when it explodes to kill or harm people
1
6.3
A bomb that starts fires to burn buildings or fuel
1
5.6
A hidden device that explodes when someone opens a box or envelope
1
9.8
A bomb that breaks into many small fast metal pieces to hit soldiers and vehicles
1
8.6
An explosive fired from a cannon that releases poisonous gas when it explodes
1
5.6
A bomb you can make explode from far away using a small device you hold
1
7.9
An explosive that a balloon carries to travel far and explode
A small fast bomb fired from a gun that makes a loud whistling sound and then explodes with a bang
A large explosive object that makes a strong blast and many flying pieces
A weapon that explodes and sends metal pieces at high speed to hurt people and damage things nearby
An explosive that sends many small fast pieces to hurt people
A small bomb released from a larger bomb that spreads and explodes over a wide area
A strong bomb that goes through hard targets before it explodes
A weapon that explodes underwater at a set depth to attack submarines
A bomb that spreads fuel and ignites to make a very hot, powerful blast
A weapon that sprays flammable liquid into the air then sets it on fire to make a large explosion
An explosive hidden inside a package or envelope that explodes when opened
An explosive hidden in a briefcase that can be made to explode later
A small unexploded bomb left behind after being dropped
An explosive shell that makes a high, fast sound and then a loud bang
An explosive device made from plastic explosives that can be shaped to fit small spaces
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.