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
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
The gap in government services will be painful, and Democratic senators and aides report constituents are already peppering them with questions about the shutdown.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The host Colombia was peppering the Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe with shots on goal from early on.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
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
The gap in government services will be painful, and Democratic senators and aides report constituents are already peppering them with questions about the shutdown.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The host Colombia was peppering the Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe with shots on goal from early on.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peppering
Verb
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Always follow product instructions exactly, and avoid spraying when beneficial insects such as bees or ladybugs are present in the area.—
Derek Carwood,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Jan. 2026
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If detected, they can be controlled by spraying the camellias with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cameras caught a clergy member sprinkling a little holy water on the Acrisure Stadium turf about two hours before kickoff on Sunday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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In the second season of Andor, Tony Gilroy continued his indictment of rising fascism, sprinkling the sci-fi tropes with grandstanding political drama, the impending doom of an action thriller, and a helping of French-resistance imagery, then tossing it all in a blender.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Burn scars dotting our state from Paradise to Pacific Palisades show clearly his failure to prioritize fire prevention.—
Brian Jones,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The city is in a valley, so nearly every building has a view—on this January morning, of fires dotting the hills and little, loud aircraft flying in all directions, like a mosquito swarm on a hot night.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Peppering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peppering. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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