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
Mesloh, a former police officer, researched crowd-control munitions — grenades, flash-bangs, Tasers — for seven years before 2010 when funding was rescinded for such research.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The streets still looked like a war zone, with flash-bangs detonating and clouds of tear gas in the air.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Federal officers wielded batons and deployed flash-bang devices against the crowd.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Moments after being struck directly by a flash-bang in an encounter with federal agents in Minneapolis, a protester showed CNN’s Ryan Young where shrapnel from the flash-bang became embedded into her knee.
—Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
The New Yorker staff writer Emily Witt was reporting near the scene, where protesters quickly gathered to confront ICE agents, and were met with tear gas and flash-bang devices.
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
Special operations forces threw flash-bangs into the area where they were found.
—CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
At $15,000 per box of six drones, and an additional monthly service charge per student, the drones are equipped with nonlethal weaponry, including flash-bangs and pepper spray guns.
—Emily Greene-Colozzi, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
As the confrontation escalated, agents deployed a flash-bang device while crowds threw bricks and paint cans from rooftops.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
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Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The streets still looked like a war zone, with flash-bangs detonating and clouds of tear gas in the air.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Federal officers wielded batons and deployed flash-bang devices against the crowd.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Moments after being struck directly by a flash-bang in an encounter with federal agents in Minneapolis, a protester showed CNN’s Ryan Young where shrapnel from the flash-bang became embedded into her knee.
—Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
The New Yorker staff writer Emily Witt was reporting near the scene, where protesters quickly gathered to confront ICE agents, and were met with tear gas and flash-bang devices.
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
Special operations forces threw flash-bangs into the area where they were found.
—CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
At $15,000 per box of six drones, and an additional monthly service charge per student, the drones are equipped with nonlethal weaponry, including flash-bangs and pepper spray guns.
—Emily Greene-Colozzi, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
As the confrontation escalated, agents deployed a flash-bang device while crowds threw bricks and paint cans from rooftops.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash-bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash-bang. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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