View synonyms for

tear gas

[teer]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a gas that makes the eyes smart and water, thus producing a temporary blindness, used in modern warfare, to quell riots, etc.

tear-gas

[teer-gas]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

tear-gassed, tear-gassing

to subject to tear gas.

tear gas

/ ��ɪə /

noun

Also called: lacrimator.��any one of a number of gases or vapours that make the eyes smart and water, causing temporary blindness; usually dispersed from grenades and used in warfare and to control riots

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Word History and Origins

Origin of tear gas¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Origin of tear gas²

First recorded in 1945–50

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

ICE raided a swap meet in Santa Fe Springs and police fired tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd in downtown L.A.

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There were confrontations between protesters and National Guard soldiers near the Federal Building and tear gas was fired to disperse the crowds.

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I’m thankful I haven’t been hit with a rubber bullet, though I have tasted a little tear gas.

From

Shortly after the raid began Friday — before the tear gas and tactical vehicles came to quell the unrest — the rapid response members arrived.

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Officials eventually deployed flash bangs and tear gas to push past the crowd - one of the first protests in the LA area as the spate of immigration raids kicked off.

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Related Words

poison gas��

tearful tearing

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