noun
sarin
SAH-rihn
Sarin (noun) means a highly toxic nerve agent developed as a chemical weapon. Example: “The attack used sarin gas, which attacks the nervous system within minutes.”
noun
1
A highly toxic nerve agent developed as a chemical weapon.
"The health minister in Turkey, which treated many of the attack's victims and conducted autopsies on others, said test results conducted on victims confirmed sarin gas was used."
— Samuel Osborne, Vladimir Putin says US-Russia relations are worse since Donald Trump took office (2017)
"Trostianets mayor Yuriy Bova said officials had discovered traces of the deadly substance sarin and other chemical substances. Sarin is a clear and odourless substance that is classed as a potentially lethal nerve agent."
— Paul Withers, Putin chemical weapon horror: Ukrainian mayor says 'remains' of sarin found after retreat (2022)
"Because Syria was not a signatory of the Chemical Weapons Convention, there was no international mechanism to ascribe responsibility for the attack, although UN inspectors did conclude that sarin had been deployed."
— Scott Lucas, When Will There Be Justice Over Assad’s Sarin Attacks? (2022)
"The attack used sarin gas, which attacks the nervous system within minutes."
How to use sarin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA deadly nerve gas classified as a chemical weapon.
When to use it
A serious, clinical term — used in news, science, and military contexts, not casual speech.
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Word forms
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The attack used _____ gas, which attacks the nervous system within minutes.
Etymology
Named using the initials of the German chemists who developed it in the 1930s.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sarin
See all rhymes for sarin →Frequently asked questions
What does “sarin” mean?
The word “sarin” means a highly toxic nerve agent developed as a chemical weapon. In plain terms, a deadly nerve gas classified as a chemical weapon.
How do you pronounce “sarin”?
“Sarin” is pronounced SAH-rihn (/ˈsɑːɹən/ in IPA).
How do you use “sarin” in a sentence?
Here is “sarin” used in a sentence: “The attack used sarin gas, which attacks the nervous system within minutes.”
What part of speech is “sarin”?
“Sarin” is a noun.
Where does the word “sarin” come from?
The word “sarin” dates back to around 1930 and comes from German. Named using the initials of the German chemists who developed it in the 1930s.
