Phrase guide

break the news

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To inform someone of something first, usually used when it will be difficult to tell the person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I didn't know how to break the news to her that her best friend had been in a car accident.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: tudtára ad — to inform someone of something first, usually used when it will be difficult to tell the person
  • Hungarian: elmond — to inform someone of something first, usually used when it will be difficult to tell the person
  • Hungarian: közöl — to inform someone of something first, usually used when it will be difficult to tell the person
  • Russian: сообщить новости — to inform someone of something first, usually used when it will be difficult to tell the person
  • Spanish: anoticiar — to inform someone of something first, usually used when it will be difficult to tell the person
  • Spanish: noticiar — to inform someone of something first, usually used when it will be difficult to tell the person