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
O’Leary’s just been peppering the house manager with questions about her business and admiring the replica of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man that dominates the entryway.
—
Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
Netflix is doubling down on film and TV from Argentina, opening a new office in the capital, peppering its slate with four new shows, and dishing updates on various others including the latest season of hit series The Eternaut.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
Netflix is doubling down on film and TV from Argentina, opening a new office in the capital, peppering its slate with four new shows, and dishing updates on various others including the latest season of hit series The Eternaut.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peppering
Verb
-
At Château-sur-Mer, a mansion in Newport, arborists from Bartlett Tree Experts have been spraying the canopies of the century-old beech trees in a race against time.—
Jacob Wycoff,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
To ensure that the solution doesn’t sit on the plants, spraying them down with water during the process is always the best option.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My grandmother just kept sprinkling water and stirring until all the flour gathered into loose clumps, no longer powdery but not yet sticky.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The younger two brothers float paper boats in the kitchen sink and Jeremy plays along, sprinkling flour on their heads—but making the kitchen a total mess.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To recreate at home, use varying sizes of dotting tools, making sure to let each layer dry before applying the next.—
Georgia Day,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Come winter, beach towns like this one dotting the Atlantic Coast stretch of Florida surrounding Fort Lauderdale have long brimmed with French Canadian tourists and other snowbirds who arrive for warmth and sunshine.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Peppering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peppering. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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