sarin

noun

sa·​rin ˈsär-ən 

ˈser-;

zä-ˈrēn 

: an extremely toxic chemical weapon C₄H₁₀FO₂P that is used as a lethal nerve gas

called also GB

Examples of sarin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, the higher estimates for the infamous August 2013 East Ghoutta chemical weapons attack, which saw sarin nerve gas unleashed on an urban civilian area, are 1,500 dead. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Japan was stunned into a mainstream awareness of cults in 1995, when Aum Shinrikyo, a vaguely Buddhist meditation sect, released sarin gas in the Tokyo subway, killing more than a dozen and injuring thousands. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

However, just one year later, Obama chose not to respond to Assad’s killing of more than 1,000 Syrians with sarin gas with military action. —Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Jan. 2026

The chemicals, including sarin, mustard gas and chlorine gas, represent a major test for Syria’s caretaker government. —Natasha Frost, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sarin

• warfarin

Medical Definition

sarin

noun

sa·​rin ˈsär-ən  zä-ˈrēn 

: an extremely toxic chemical warfare agent C₄H₁₀FO₂P that is a powerful cholinesterase inhibitor

called also GB