flash-bang
Americannoun
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Also called flash-bang grenade. Also called flash grenade,. a type of grenade that explodes with a loud noise and a dazzling flash of light, used to distract or momentarily disorient people without injuring them.
He used a flash-bang from his own utility belt to temporarily blind his pursuers.
The group is concerned that gear like flash-bang grenades and shock cuffs are leading to more aggressive policing.
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a dazzling flash of light accompanied by a loud noise.
The thick smoke mingled with the occasional flash-bang of a surplus grenade.
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attention-grabbing, thrilling, or impressive character; glitz; showiness.
Grounded in real-world issues, the stories examined the seamier side of life often ignored in the flash-bang of other superhero comics.
adjective
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relating to or characterized by a combination of bright light and loud noise.
An intense hail started, followed by extremely close, flash-bang lightning.
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catching the attention in an impressive or thrilling way; showy.
The flash-bang, hair-trigger excitement of the movie’s early scenes progressively loses impact as the stumbling saga unfolds.
Not all sports injuries are of a flash-bang type—some are cumulative, built up over months or even years.
Etymology
Origin of flash-bang
First recorded in 1840–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They also show residents standing in front of a silver Chevy SUV, prompting a federal agent to use a flash-bang grenade to disperse the crowd but with no effect.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2025
Whether the demonstration was calm or chaotic, a silent march or a pandemonium of screaming and flash-bang grenades, he’d be there with his camera, calmly taking it all in.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2024
The city also agreed to stop using rubber ball distraction devices, commonly known as flash-bang grenades, and to dismantle its remaining stock under an injunction that will last 14 months.
From Washington Times • Nov. 29, 2022
Detective Willie H. Wingfield pulled the pin on a flash-bang and prepared to toss it inside.
From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2017
Judging from the ringing in Leo’s ears, the dwarf had detonated the flash-bang grenade, which Leo had filled with a rare vial of Apollo’s music, pure liquid extract.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
