broach

verb

Definition of broachnext
1
as in to surface
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below the immense whales broaching was a magnificent sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to introduce
to present or bring forward for discussion broached the topic of plans for next year's parade

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word broach distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of broach are air, express, utter, vent, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

When might air be a better fit than broach?

Although the words air and broach have much in common, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

When could express be used to replace broach?

The words express and broach can be used in similar contexts, but express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

When can utter be used instead of broach?

In some situations, the words utter and broach are roughly equivalent. However, utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When would vent be a good substitute for broach?

The synonyms vent and broach are sometimes interchangeable, but vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

When is it sensible to use voice instead of broach?

While in some cases nearly identical to broach, voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of broach Fassaert recalls how audience members told him about the way the film broaches his grandmother’s narcissism, a notion perpetuated for many years in his family. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026 The issue of marital rape has also been broached in both seasons 1 and 2. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026 There was some optimism coaches might reach a compromise and offer a recommendation to possibly move the season earlier, but the issue was never broached in the room. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026 However, such pride was not to be broached in Western history classes. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for broach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broach
  1. surface
  2. introduce
  3. raise
  4. discuss
  5. place
Verb
  • Tensions have surfaced in recent years over a restaurant grading system that took effect and changes made to how restaurant agreements are renewed.
    — Kate Rogers, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In today’s short appointment slots, there often isn’t time for the kind of nuanced conversation that might surface more helpful insights.
    — Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of surface
Verb
  • Takaichi had earlier laid out a record $783 billion budget for the next fiscal year starting April 1, on top of a $135 billion stimulus package introduced last year to help households with rising living costs.
    — CNBC.com staff, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
  • But the irony is, Roman numerals were actually introduced to make things easier to understand.
    — The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of introduce
Verb
  • The health care company also raised its forecast range for profit this fiscal year.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • In the wake of Bad Bunny's halftime show selection in September, many critics raised concerns about a potential language barrier for English-language viewers.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • Meanwhile, senior leaders at Arizona State University were quietly hosting 30 leaders from Korean technical colleges to discuss how the United States might learn from their success in developing an AI-ready workforce.
    — David Ignatius, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Neither Iran nor Oman offered any details on what had been discussed in Larijani's meetings.
    — JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of discuss
Verb
  • Inside that cube, researchers placed 32,768 points along every single edge.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest apparel exporter and the ninth most climate-vulnerable country globally, placing it at the center of the fashion industry’s climate and labor challenges.
    — Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of place

Browse Nearby Words

brittleness
broach
broached
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Broach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broach. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on broach

Nglish: Translation of broach for Spanish Speakers

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