broach

Fetched 2026-10-31 (live).

Synonyms: breach, abroach, brooch, brach, roach, proach, broch, bronch, brosch, brotch

Antonyms: breach, abroach, brooch, brach, roach, proach, broch, bronch, brosch, brotch

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. A series of chisel points mounted on one piece of steel. For example, the toothed stone chisel shown here.
2. A broad chisel for stone-cutting.
3. Alternative spelling of brooch.
4. A spit for cooking food.
5. An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers.
6. A spire rising from a tower.
7. A spit-like start on the head of a young stag.
8. The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.
9. The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.

Verb

1. To make a hole in, especially a cask of liquor, and put in a tap in order to draw the liquid.
2. To open, to make an opening into; to pierce.
   • French knights at Agincourt were unable to broach the English line.
3. To begin discussion about (something).
   • I broached the subject of contraceptives carefully when the teenager mentioned his promiscuity.

Verb

1. To be turned sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves.
   • The small boat broached and nearly sank, because of the large waves.
2. To cause to turn sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves (usually followed by to; also figurative).
   • Each time we came around into the wind, the sea broached our bow.
3. To break the surface of the water.
   • Diving officer, broach the ship!

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wiktionary) · cached copy, not a rewrite.