pepper

verb

Definition of peppernext
1
as in to spray
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on pepper the costume with flecks of glitter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly spilled flour peppered the kitchen floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pepper The man was riding a standup electric scooter north on Brickell Avenue near Southeast Seventh Street when the Mercedes pulled up to him, and the passengers began peppering him with pellets, according to a Miami police arrest report. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 Featuring cameos from Latin superstars like Peso Pluma, J Balvin and Ryan Castro, the LP itself is hard to define as simply house music; RØZ is known best for peppering its EDM with a heavy dose of Latino sazon. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Six weeks after Beloozerov’s funeral, the FBI peppered Marina with questions during an hourslong interview at the agency’s field office in Washington. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 Thousands of architecturally distinct vacation rentals pepper the woods of Hocking Hills in southern Ohio, offering some of the Midwest’s coolest stays. — Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pepper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pepper
  1. spray
  2. sprinkle
  3. dot
Verb
  • Throughout the years, Graham was sprayed by grout on a construction site and splattered with oil while cutting timber.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Having the ability, and willingness, to spray money at players helps.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of spray
Verb
  • However, the Tar Heels have some dangerous playmakers sprinkled around the roster, including sophomore running back Demon June and junior wide receiver Jordan Shipp, who had 84 yards against TCU last season.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Coltrane is also deeply interested in the Buddhist principles of karma and dharma, or the moral duties and obligations to a right way of life, which are sprinkled throughout the novel.
    — Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sprinkle
Verb
  • Nepal's mountainous terrain, dotted with deep valleys and narrow gorges, makes rescue and relief operations challenging.
    — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • People come from all over to enjoy its nostalgic Main Street dotted with fun shops.
    — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of dot

Browse Nearby Words

pepped (up)
pepper
peppered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pepper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pepper. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on pepper

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pepper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All