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
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
That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
Eruptions of solar energy known as coronal mass ejections have been peppering Earth's magnetic field.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
The Red and Black dominated the first 40 minutes, limiting the Panthers to just four shot attempts while peppering Beverly goalkeeper Clara Kostro with shots.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
Kuminga scored 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting, overwhelming defenders at the rim with his athleticism, and peppering in a slick catch-and-shoot jumper from the short corner for three points.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
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
That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
Eruptions of solar energy known as coronal mass ejections have been peppering Earth's magnetic field.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
The Red and Black dominated the first 40 minutes, limiting the Panthers to just four shot attempts while peppering Beverly goalkeeper Clara Kostro with shots.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
Kuminga scored 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting, overwhelming defenders at the rim with his athleticism, and peppering in a slick catch-and-shoot jumper from the short corner for three points.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peppering
Verb
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The team suggests that this cloud may have been created when two planets orbiting J0705+0612 slammed into each other, spraying out dust, rocks, and other debris.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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But instead of prioritizing touching the paint then spraying the ball out to an open shooter, the Knicks have spiraled into iso-ball, over-dribbling and tough shots.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And also sprinkling in those moments of Keisha.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2026
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Or more like an Aromatisse sprinkling the scent of perfume around?—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead of dotting the same black scrim, like pinholes in a two-dimensional theater backdrop, the stars were scattered through space at dramatically varying distances, a vast swarm of them filling every last corner of an even vaster, more numinous, and emphatically three-dimensional darkness.—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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With rows of sash windows dotting a vintage red and brown brick facade, Anmer Hall is the picture of classic Georgian charm.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Peppering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peppering. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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