Gassing

The act of emitting or exposing to gas, particularly poisonous or noxious fumes. Historically, this term evokes images of industrial processes, but it has also been infamously associated with the deliberate use of gas as a weapon, especially during wartime, designed to cause injury, incapacitation, or death. Beyond its literal meaning, 'gassing' can metaphorically represent the overwhelming of someone with excessive talk, propaganda, or misinformation, similar to being suffocated by a toxic atmosphere. It can also refer to the action of adding fuel to a vehicle's fuel tank.

Gassing meaning with examples

• During the First World War, soldiers dreaded the threat of gassing in the trenches, as chlorine and mustard gas caused horrific injuries and deaths. The attacks were a brutal and terrifying act of war, and the effects were far-reaching.
• The factory's outdated ventilation system led to frequent instances of gassing, endangering the health of its workers due to the noxious fumes emitted during the production process.
• The political commentator was accused of 'gassing' the audience with inflammatory rhetoric and unsubstantiated claims, creating a climate of fear and distrust.
• I need to go gassing up my car before the road trip, the tank is nearly empty and it will leave me stranded.
• The protesters were horrified when the police used tear gas, effectively gassing the crowd and causing mass panic and pandemonium within the demonstration.