tear gas
C1Formal, News, Law Enforcement
Definition
Meaning
A chemical agent that causes severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, used to disperse crowds.
To denote the act of using such an agent, or figuratively, any situation causing overwhelming distress or confusion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a non-count noun ('use tear gas'). The verb form ('to tear-gas') is common in active contexts. 'Tear' in this compound is pronounced as the noun for a drop from the eye, not the verb 'to tear' (to rip).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'tear gas' (both) and 'tear-gas' (hyphenated, especially as verb/adjective) are common. No significant lexical difference.
Connotations
Associated with riot control, civil unrest, and human rights discussions in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent due to global news coverage of protests.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The police [VERB: used/deployed/fired] tear gas [PREP: on/at/against] the protesters.The protesters were [VERB: hit with/subjected to] tear gas.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The term itself is often used metaphorically: 'The meeting was a tear gas of accusations.'”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in CSR reports on supply chains for security equipment.
Academic
Common in political science, sociology, and law journals discussing protest policing and human rights.
Everyday
Almost exclusively in news reports about demonstrations and civil unrest.
Technical
Used in military, police, and chemical safety contexts with precise specifications (e.g., 'CN tear gas', 'CR gas').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Authorities may tear-gas demonstrators if the situation escalates.
- The crowd was tear-gassed without warning.
American English
- Police tear-gassed the protesters to clear the square.
- They threatened to tear-gas anyone who refused to leave.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- They recovered several tear-gas canisters after the rally.
- The report criticised the tear-gas deployment.
American English
- Tear gas grenades were launched into the crowd.
- He suffered a tear gas injury to his lungs.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The news showed police using tear gas.
- Tear gas was used to control the large protest.
- Despite the deployment of tear gas, the demonstrators held their ground.
- Human rights groups have condemned the indiscriminate use of tear gas in urban environments, citing its potential for causing severe injury.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TEAR' (crying) + 'GAS' = a gas that makes you tear up.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS CHEMICAL WARFARE (e.g., 'The debate turned toxic.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing 'tear gas' with 'poison gas' or 'nerve gas' (боевой отравляющее вещество). The Russian equivalent 'слезоточивый газ' is accurate.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing 'tear' as /tɛər/ (to rip).
- Writing as one word: 'teargas'.
- Using as a countable noun: 'a tear gas' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of tear gas?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words ('tear gas'), though the hyphenated form ('tear-gas') is also correct, especially when used as a verb or adjective.
While classified as a non-lethal or less-lethal agent, tear gas can cause serious injury or death, particularly in enclosed spaces, for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions, or from projectile canisters.
Move to fresh air immediately, avoid rubbing your eyes, flush eyes and skin with copious amounts of cool water, and remove contaminated clothing.
'Tear gas' is a general term. 'CS gas' (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile) is one specific chemical compound commonly used as tear gas. Other types include CN and CR gas.
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