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
Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire in the following days, and police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.
—Doug Padilla, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
The week’s biggest stories ‘No Kings’ rallies break out across SoCal and the U.S.
Thousands of protesters flooded downtown to protest Trump
As the curfew approaches, LAPD used flash-bangs, pepper balls, rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
However, in downtown Los Angeles, police issued a dispersal order late Saturday afternoon after demonstrators allegedly started throwing objects at law enforcement, prompting the LAPD and L.A. County Sheriff's deputies to deploy smoke and flash-bangs, and utilize tear gas.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 14 June 2025
Los Angeles law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the city’s police department, have responded to demonstrations throughout the city, at times deploying flash-bang grenades, projectiles and other crowd-control measures.
—Bora Erden, New York Times, 13 June 2025
While many protests have been relatively peaceful, some have turned into scenes of chaos as police fired with less lethal munitions, tear gas and flash-bangs to disperse crowds.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Martin and her boyfriend at the time were startled out of bed with a flash-bang grenade and guns raised, as her 7-year-old son screamed from another room.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 12 June 2025
Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire over the weekend, and police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.
—Arkansas Online, 12 June 2025
Local and state authorities used pepper spray and flash-bang grenades on protesters in that incident, and more than a dozen people were arrested, Abbott said.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 11 June 2025
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Doug Padilla, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
The week’s biggest stories ‘No Kings’ rallies break out across SoCal and the U.S.
Thousands of protesters flooded downtown to protest Trump
As the curfew approaches, LAPD used flash-bangs, pepper balls, rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
However, in downtown Los Angeles, police issued a dispersal order late Saturday afternoon after demonstrators allegedly started throwing objects at law enforcement, prompting the LAPD and L.A. County Sheriff's deputies to deploy smoke and flash-bangs, and utilize tear gas.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 14 June 2025
Los Angeles law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the city’s police department, have responded to demonstrations throughout the city, at times deploying flash-bang grenades, projectiles and other crowd-control measures.
—Bora Erden, New York Times, 13 June 2025
While many protests have been relatively peaceful, some have turned into scenes of chaos as police fired with less lethal munitions, tear gas and flash-bangs to disperse crowds.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Martin and her boyfriend at the time were startled out of bed with a flash-bang grenade and guns raised, as her 7-year-old son screamed from another room.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 12 June 2025
Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire over the weekend, and police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.
—Arkansas Online, 12 June 2025
Local and state authorities used pepper spray and flash-bang grenades on protesters in that incident, and more than a dozen people were arrested, Abbott said.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash-bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash-bang. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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