as in sprinkling
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
sprayed the lawn with pesticides
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spraying
Next, the group plans to demand the county stop spraying along the Santa Ana River, which reaches the ocean on the south side of Huntington Beach.
—
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
They’re also sold in a three-pack, so don’t be shy about spraying them on everyone’s hands.
—Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026
To function safely in high-temperature conditions, the robot’s body includes a self-spraying water-cooling system and a specialized insulation structure.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
In addition, spraying insecticides to kill flies isn’t a good option.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Keep weeds from returning with barriers like landscape fabric, cardboard, or mulch, by encouraging dense plant growth, or spraying weeds with a vinegar solution.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
At Fairy Creek, the police had been notoriously brutal, often pepper-spraying blockaders directly in their eyes and mouths.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The engine whine increases again, and the helicopter flies off, spraying us with fine powder.
—Brent Rose, Outside, 28 Feb. 2026
Security camera footage showing a man allegedly spraying his roommate's food with a substance that left them feeling sick.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
They’re also sold in a three-pack, so don’t be shy about spraying them on everyone’s hands.
—Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026
To function safely in high-temperature conditions, the robot’s body includes a self-spraying water-cooling system and a specialized insulation structure.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
In addition, spraying insecticides to kill flies isn’t a good option.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Keep weeds from returning with barriers like landscape fabric, cardboard, or mulch, by encouraging dense plant growth, or spraying weeds with a vinegar solution.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
At Fairy Creek, the police had been notoriously brutal, often pepper-spraying blockaders directly in their eyes and mouths.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The engine whine increases again, and the helicopter flies off, spraying us with fine powder.
—Brent Rose, Outside, 28 Feb. 2026
Security camera footage showing a man allegedly spraying his roommate's food with a substance that left them feeling sick.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spraying
Verb
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For this method, Sokolowski suggests sprinkling baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth, then scrubbing the curtain and rinsing with warm water before hanging to dry.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
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This means there's lots of ways to add them to your diet, including blending ground flaxseed into smoothies or sprinkling whole flaxseeds on top of oatmeal.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bright hot-air balloons dotting the pale sky over a striated desert.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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Also like many others, the surgery Nyong’o had to remove the roughly 30 fibroids dotting her uterus at the time proved only a temporary fix, with upward of 50 redeveloping in the 12 years since.—
Beth Krietsch,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Rams controlled the pace for the majority of the first period, peppering Hawks goaltender Connor Kotwicki with several strong shots.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Spraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spraying. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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