tear gas

¹

[teer]

noun

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

tear-gas

²

[teer-gas]

verb (used with object)

tear-gassed, tear-gassing 

1. to subject to tear gas.

tear gas

/ tɪə /

noun

1. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tear gas¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Origin of tear gas²

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Police used both physical force and volleys of tear gas to push back them back.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He originally claimed he was hit by a rock before he deployed tear gas at a protest, but evidence showed the rock was thrown afterward.

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Several protesters, some wearing balaclavas, toppled the metal barriers protecting the palace and threw paving stones at riot police, who responded with tear gas, according to AFP journalists.

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Police protecting the compound used tear gas on the crowds.

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Police protecting the compound used tear gas grenades and fire extinguishers to contain the protesters, who were banging on the fences.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• poison gas