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
The scene was chaotic, Mosser said, with federal agents pepper-spraying community members, engaging with protestors, raising non-lethal weapons and even unholstering their guns.
—
Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Those incidents involved tackling and arresting a journalist, slamming a man to the ground, spraying people with pepper spray, punching a bystander and pointing his firearm at bystanders, according to the report.
—Selina Guevara, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
The guiderail program needs the slow rolling process in which the DOT is moving at 15 mph to 20 mph on roads or highways, spraying invasive weeds with herbicide with a wand attached to the truck.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
Avoid spraying on tender foliage such as lettuce, ferns, or plants with soft, thin leaves, as the spicy spray can cause leaf burn.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
Instead of spraying your foliage with this salt, use garden-safe products like neem oil or insecticidal soap.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles Police Department said a protester was arrested after spraying a chemical agent on two officers outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Nataliia had gone to the bus station, where soldiers were spraying foam to contain the nuclear fallout, and to the hospital, where men in white coats were unloading victims on stretchers from the backs of ambulances.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Caglianone is spraying the baseball over the field.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Those incidents involved tackling and arresting a journalist, slamming a man to the ground, spraying people with pepper spray, punching a bystander and pointing his firearm at bystanders, according to the report.
—Selina Guevara, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
The guiderail program needs the slow rolling process in which the DOT is moving at 15 mph to 20 mph on roads or highways, spraying invasive weeds with herbicide with a wand attached to the truck.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
Avoid spraying on tender foliage such as lettuce, ferns, or plants with soft, thin leaves, as the spicy spray can cause leaf burn.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
Instead of spraying your foliage with this salt, use garden-safe products like neem oil or insecticidal soap.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles Police Department said a protester was arrested after spraying a chemical agent on two officers outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Nataliia had gone to the bus station, where soldiers were spraying foam to contain the nuclear fallout, and to the hospital, where men in white coats were unloading victims on stretchers from the backs of ambulances.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Caglianone is spraying the baseball over the field.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spraying
Verb
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Planting a clover lawn is as easy as sprinkling topsoil over an even distribution of seeds, followed by watering.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Fort Worth Aviation Museum suffered damages on every single plane at their facility, and hail broke through their exhibit building, sprinkling insulation onto the entire gallery.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Umbrellas are dotting the viewing area as a Marine band entertains guests.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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And some nail artists use a dotting tool or a thin nail brush dipped into the thick gel to fashion their dew-like beads.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dosunmu filled the bill, peppering the Nuggets with floaters, drives and 3s to carry the Minnesota offense.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Fragrant blooms cover plants in spring, with repeat blooming through summer and fall, peppering the air with their distinctive clove-like scent.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spraying. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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