1
as in sprayed
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
pepper the costume with flecks of glitter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in dotted
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
spilled flour peppered the kitchen floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in sprinkled
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of peppered
Erin McMullen, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
In those early days, Nola’s bath time routine became peppered with questions.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
To make things harder, the team peppered every work cell with random obstacles the robots had to avoid.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Its shape used to correspond to those of the traditional sitcoms or comfortable domestic dramas of network television — a house, a couch, a lot of basically relatable conversation with jokes and reveals, clever or not, peppered in as needed, with very little action going on below the neck.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
This time, fans of 20 different teams peppered the crowd.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
Silksong’s lore isn’t always front and center, layered deeper in the margins from conversations with cutesy bug NPCs and cryptic tombs peppered about.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
But now, as Frazier advanced, Ali peppered his face with starch-stiff jabs and two-punch counters.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The first-year player peppered him with questions, while also asking for advice after his first game at Arrowhead Stadium.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
As Emmy celebrations peppered the town on Saturday night, a starkly differently occasion left attendees shaken, tearful and reminded of the immersive power of cinema.
—Stacey Wilson Hunt, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
Yes, it's all peppered throughout.
—Erin McMullen, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
In those early days, Nola’s bath time routine became peppered with questions.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Glacier National Park, Montana Winter comes early to Glacier National Park, but the hardwoods that are peppered throughout the park’s evergreen forests put on one last show in September and October before the snow begins to fall in earnest.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
To make things harder, the team peppered every work cell with random obstacles the robots had to avoid.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Its shape used to correspond to those of the traditional sitcoms or comfortable domestic dramas of network television — a house, a couch, a lot of basically relatable conversation with jokes and reveals, clever or not, peppered in as needed, with very little action going on below the neck.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
This time, fans of 20 different teams peppered the crowd.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
Silksong’s lore isn’t always front and center, layered deeper in the margins from conversations with cutesy bug NPCs and cryptic tombs peppered about.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
But now, as Frazier advanced, Ali peppered his face with starch-stiff jabs and two-punch counters.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The first-year player peppered him with questions, while also asking for advice after his first game at Arrowhead Stadium.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
As Emmy celebrations peppered the town on Saturday night, a starkly differently occasion left attendees shaken, tearful and reminded of the immersive power of cinema.
—Stacey Wilson Hunt, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peppered
Verb
-
Prosecutors say the attackers sprayed anti-ICE graffiti, shot a police officer in the neck and exchanged fire with correctional officers before fleeing.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The students allegedly sprayed the substance at their school on two occasions in May 2023 as a prank, prompting the school to be evacuated and causing six students to be taken to the hospital to be treated for headaches and nausea, according to KTRK.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cara's golden face was covered in fresh dirt, spattering her mouth, nose, eyes, and head, with plenty more sprinkled on the concrete patio beneath her.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Throughout the show, Boose sprinkled skits between his songs.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, satellite and supporting video filmed from a high rise on Al Rashid, a major road that runs through Gaza, shows tent camps remain dotted along the coastal road south of Gaza's port.—
Camilla Alcini,
ABC News,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Salesforce contract renewals often become routine exercises—reviewing user counts, negotiating minor discounts and signing on the dotted line.—
Buyan Thyagarajan,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Brightly colored berries are another strategy that plants have devised to disperse their seeds.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Well … are the requests for construction paper and colored pencils?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Until Saturday, Scott — accustomed to wearing prison blue — had two shirts and two pairs of pants, but Sanders took him to Ross Dress for Less for some colorful, new clothes.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The lunar event will appear brighter and more colorful than most full moons, offering several nights of striking views just after sunset.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Over a 10-month period, our editors—all with vastly different preferences for coverage, finish, and format—buffed and blended (and swept and stippled) their way through about 650 submissions.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Look for fine webbing and speckled or stippled leaves, which are signs of their presence, says Harvell.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This golden bouquet, which comes in a speckled brown ceramic pot, adds moody vibes and a pop of fall-friendly color, to the countertops, table, or coffee table.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
-
On the platform, around the clock, the racket of metal bore pipes and machinery, the drilling grime and the speckled mud mingled with the quieter, cleaner work of scientists in trailers converted to pristine labs and processing posts.—
Rodrique Ngowi,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Democratic leaders released a competing bill that reflects their vision for how to fund the government, drawing a marked contrast with the Republican proposal.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Mamdani’s willingness to engage with establishment figures like Bloomberg signals his intent to build a broad coalition, despite marked differences on issues like taxation and policing.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Peppered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peppered. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share