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to broach

to broach

23 7.4
To bring up a difficult or sensitive subject
  • verb
  • /broʊtʃ/
translation icon : abordar
  • I think the question is, should social issues be broached in school?
  • broached the subject
  • broached the topic
  • broaches social issues

And it seems like a nice synergistic way to kind of broach these topics.

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Examples

  • Help residents and families broach this touchy topic with nursing home operators and public officials.

    Academic text (1995)
  • A guy doesn't broach that subject because it's easier not to.

  • Want me to broach it with him?

  • But we have a lot of work to do... ...before we even broach that subject.

  • Do I broach the subject or do you?

  • But we have a lot of work to do before we even broach the subject.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • It's kind of an awkward subject to broach.

  • Your Majesty, may I broach the matter of Lady Marlborough?

  • Why ruin a dinner party, or a sermon, by broaching this sensitive topic?

  • It's often difficult to broach sensitive topics with family members during the holidays.

Synonyms

to talk about
vsto broach
1.3

Speak with someone about a subject

focuses on beginning the discussion often of sensitive topics
to bring up
vsto broach
788 2.6

To mention a subject for discussion

is used for starting discussion of sensitive or difficult topics
to initiate
vsto broach
426 4.5

To start something such as a project or discussion

is only about beginning discussion of sensitive or difficult subjects
to have a quiet word
vsto broach
2 6.0

To speak to someone in private about something sensitive

is used for starting such topics generally not only in private

Antonyms

1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

176 4.8

To stop public protest by force or by people in power

Phrasal Verbs

To start talking about a topic that may be difficult or sensitive

To tell someone about worries or problems

How Direct

to confront
310 4.1
to broach
23 7.4
to bring up
788 2.6
to mention
1.0
hint
229 1.5

Surface Forms

broach infinitive
broached past
broached past participle
broaching present participle
broaches third person singular

Etymology

Broach as a verb comes from the old idea of 'piercing' or 'opening', from the old French broche, like making a hole in a barrel to let the drink out. From that idea of 'opening' something it came to mean starting a subject, so to broach a topic is to open it for discussion.