flash-bang
noun
variants
or flash-bang grenade
or flash grenade
plural flash-bangs or flash-bang grenades or flash grenades
: an explosive device that produces a blinding flash of light and a sudden, loud noise intended to temporarily stun, distract, and disperse people and that is thrown by hand or projected
Flash-bangs have become a popular but controversial diversionary tactic used by SWAT teams. The devices give officers key seconds to make tactical moves and are especially useful in hostage situations.—
Michael S. Rosenwald
Michael S. RosenwaldWhen armed motorcades arrive at the entrance, Marines toss flash-bang grenades to clear the crowd.—Gregg Zoroya
Gregg ZoroyaLate in the afternoon, officers fired about a dozen flash grenades at the suspect. The loud, bright projectiles seemed to disorient him, and officers were able to rush in and take him into custody.—Jenna Lyons and Peter Fimrite
Jenna Lyons and Peter Fimritecalled also stun grenade
Examples of flash-bang in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then a flash-bang grenade detonated in a burst of white in a front room.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Martin stopped coaching track because the starting pistol reminded her of the flash-bang grenade the agents set off.
—Sudhin Thanawala and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The initial jolt came fast and furious, starting with a flash-bang grenade in her living room.
—Dylan Moore, National Review, 1 Mar. 2025
But the most significant fallout came from a violent police response that saw officers deploy tear gas, flash-bang grenades and foam and rubber projectiles to break up crowds, which have since been either heavily restricted or banned from being used solely for crowd control.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Be careful as the flex gadgets affect your teammates too, so don't accidentally flash-bang them.
—Rahul Majumdar, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Brandon Boyd’s family has called for accountability for the shooting, saying police escalated the situation by using a flash-bang.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Martin heard the sound of a flash-bang grenade exploding, mixed with pounding and shouting.
—Dylan Moore, National Review, 10 Oct. 2024
That night residents, protesters and journalists in Brooklyn Center met with members of Operation Safety Net, an aggressive coalition of Minnesota National Guard soldiers, state troopers and local police who used tear gas and flash-bangs to clear the streets.
—Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica, 19 Sep. 2024
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Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Martin stopped coaching track because the starting pistol reminded her of the flash-bang grenade the agents set off.
—Sudhin Thanawala and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The initial jolt came fast and furious, starting with a flash-bang grenade in her living room.
—Dylan Moore, National Review, 1 Mar. 2025
But the most significant fallout came from a violent police response that saw officers deploy tear gas, flash-bang grenades and foam and rubber projectiles to break up crowds, which have since been either heavily restricted or banned from being used solely for crowd control.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Be careful as the flex gadgets affect your teammates too, so don't accidentally flash-bang them.
—Rahul Majumdar, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Brandon Boyd’s family has called for accountability for the shooting, saying police escalated the situation by using a flash-bang.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Martin heard the sound of a flash-bang grenade exploding, mixed with pounding and shouting.
—Dylan Moore, National Review, 10 Oct. 2024
That night residents, protesters and journalists in Brooklyn Center met with members of Operation Safety Net, an aggressive coalition of Minnesota National Guard soldiers, state troopers and local police who used tear gas and flash-bangs to clear the streets.
—Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica, 19 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Flash-bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash-bang. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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