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
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
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
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
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
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
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 scale of the war effort had necessitated the creation of a health infrastructure on American soil—spraying for mosquitoes near the front lines in the Pacific wouldn’t mean anything if soldiers caught malaria at home before deployment.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
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Written and directed by Swift, the clip sees the singer fall in love with a fellow loner (Domhnall Gleeson) after spraying herself with a love potion fittingly called Opalite.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then, to complete the deep clean, Lane suggests, sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and running a second hot cycle with no detergent.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
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Player props have become such a big and fun part of betting on the big game, so here are 11 that are worth sprinkling a few bucks on.—
KC Joyner,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For years, rapid growth has been reshaping neighborhoods across Austin, the continuing transformation marked by cranes dotting the skyline, road closures and steel rising across the metro area.—
Travis Webb,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
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Sundance could anoint hits, dotting the industry’s creative landscape with unlikely blockbusters.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Peppering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peppering. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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