hand grenade

noun

1. a grenade or explosive shell that is thrown by hand and exploded either by impact or by means of a fuze.

2. a grenade or glass missile containing a chemical, for extinguishing fire.

hand grenade

noun

1. a small metal or plastic canister containing explosives, usually activated by a short fuse and used in close combat

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand grenade¹

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

She reflects that her response — “There is nothing that comes to mind” — landed as if she’d “pulled the pin on a hand grenade.”

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During a emotional exchange between Washington and Wright’s characters, Washington unexpectedly started handling a hand grenade that had been placed in King’s office by the prop man.

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Two hand grenades were discovered in a Santa Monica town home complex — one of them exploded with deadly results, and the other one “is unaccounted for at this time,” Sheriff Robert Luna said.

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At the Saraya home in Sweida, signs of the violence are everywhere — walls pockmarked by shrapnel from a hand grenade and family pictures and mirrors cracked by bullet holes.

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One of the two hand grenades found in a Santa Monica townhome complex ahead of the deadly blast that killed three Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives is currently missing, authorities said Friday.

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