nerve gas

noun

: an organophosphate chemical weapon that may be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or ingested and interferes with normal nerve transmission : nerve agent

Examples of nerve gas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An inadvertent release of nerve gas in March 1968 killed 6,000 sheep and harmed an untold number of people. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025 The doc plunges straight into the stories that Hersh broke back in those keyboard-clacking days, beginning with his exposé on the fallout of nerve gas testing at an Army facility in Utah. Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025 Two earlier cases involved criminal charges -- the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult, which carried out a sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system, and Myokakuji group, whose executives were convicted of fraud. arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Two earlier case involved criminal charges—the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult, which carried out a sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system, and Myokakuji group, whose executives were convicted of fraud. TIME, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nerve gas

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nerve gas was in 1940

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nerve gas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve%20gas. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

nerve gas

noun
: a war gas damaging especially to the nervous and respiratory systems

Medical Definition

nerve gas

noun
: an organophosphate chemical weapon that may be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or ingested and interferes with normal nerve transmission : nerve agent

More from Merriam-Webster on nerve gas

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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