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

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

Those who deliver the news can’t always break the news, even when it concerns themselves.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

They drove the short distance to Mama’s, debating how to break the news to her.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez