Meaning & use

broach

verb·Academic

To bring up a sensitive or difficult subject for discussion for the first time.

See it in a sentence

He waited until dinner was over before broaching the subject of moving abroad.

It took courage for her to broach the topic of the missed payment with her landlord.

A note on using this word

Broach is easily confused with 'brooch' (a piece of jewelry), which is pronounced the same but spelled differently.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. verb

To pierce a container, such as a cask or barrel, in order to draw out its contents.

The innkeeper broached a fresh barrel of cider for the evening's guests.

Make it your own

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