1
as in spraying
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
pepper the costume with flecks of glitter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in sprinkling
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
spilled flour peppered the kitchen floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of peppering
The Goldeneyes were the dominant side to start, peppering Osborne with shots early and outshooting the visitors 12-5 in the first period, but struggled to handle New York’s push in the second.
—
ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Dover-Sherborn/Weston came out with a major spark to start the third down 4-1, peppering Tigers goalie Jacob Dangel with eight shots in the first three minutes.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
The Portland Timbers came calling in January, and kept peppering Colorado’s front office with offers, according to Bassett.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
With members of Congress still peppering the country and globe, the likelihood of bringing a swift resolution to the funding impasse is low.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
All of the familiar tropes are there, from the numerous pop songs peppering the action (including one by Phil Collins, just to remind you of Miami Vice) to the profane banter between the two main characters to the endless fights, shootouts and chases to the colorful villain.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
The Hirons spent most of Christmas Eve peppering the area around 119th and Mission Road with signs.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026
Factor in Rodgers' league-leading time-to-throw abilities, and defenses don't have time to be as exotic, which enables the Steelers to methodically drive down the field, often by peppering their running backs near the line of scrimmage.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
But their decision won't be made before peppering the final three with questions at the final Tribal Council.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Dover-Sherborn/Weston came out with a major spark to start the third down 4-1, peppering Tigers goalie Jacob Dangel with eight shots in the first three minutes.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
The Portland Timbers came calling in January, and kept peppering Colorado’s front office with offers, according to Bassett.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
With members of Congress still peppering the country and globe, the likelihood of bringing a swift resolution to the funding impasse is low.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
All of the familiar tropes are there, from the numerous pop songs peppering the action (including one by Phil Collins, just to remind you of Miami Vice) to the profane banter between the two main characters to the endless fights, shootouts and chases to the colorful villain.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
The Hirons spent most of Christmas Eve peppering the area around 119th and Mission Road with signs.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026
Factor in Rodgers' league-leading time-to-throw abilities, and defenses don't have time to be as exotic, which enables the Steelers to methodically drive down the field, often by peppering their running backs near the line of scrimmage.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
But their decision won't be made before peppering the final three with questions at the final Tribal Council.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peppering
Verb
-
Crews were spraying water on the flames.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Mixing a small amount of dish soap with water and spraying it on grasshoppers can kill them by damaging their outer layer.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Neutralize Trash Can Odors Cut odors from the kitchen trash by periodically sprinkling baking soda in as waste accumulates.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
For instance, sprinkling cinnamon around entry points while also using a vinegar spray can help create a double barrier against ants attempting to infiltrate your home.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Along the route, my father would point in disgust at the large Olympic-torch flames dotting the horizon and rising above the acres of palm trees flanking the highway.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
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Instead, Carillo and Barnes recommend dotting a small amount of concealer on the darkest part of your undereye area and blending it in.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Peppering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peppering. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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