Cryptic crossword clue
Troops initially told Ben-Hur about bombshell 11

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 11 letter word THUNDERBOLT

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
H
U
N
D
E
R
B
O
L
T

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "bombshell" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case bombshell = thunderbolt.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does THUNDERBOLT mean?

THUNDERBOLT noun
  1. A flash of lightning accompanied by a crash of thunder.
  2. An event that is terrible, horrific or unexpected.
  3. Vehement threatening or censure; especially, ecclesiastical denunciation; fulmination.
  4. A very powerful shot.
  5. A belemnite, or thunderstone.
  6. A charge in the form of two joined bundles with four rays of lightning emerging from them, resembling the thunderbolt of Jupiter.
  7. A daring or irresistible hero.

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