chemtrail
noun
chem·trail
ˈkem-ˌtrāl 
plural chemtrails
: a long-lasting airplane contrail believed to be composed of harmful chemical or biological agents that are dispersed as part of a conspiracy (as to manipulate the environment or the population)
In a … study of the public's belief in conspiracy theories, … 12% said world governments use chemtrails to secretly poison their people.—
Chas Newkey-Burden
Chas Newkey-BurdenAirplane contrails have probably gotten more than their fair share of attention over the years. In particular, they've provided consistent fodder for conspiracy theorists convinced that condensation trails are actually "chemtrails" resulting from secret government chemical spraying programs.—Earth Island Journal
Earth Island JournalAccording to myriad conspiracy theories, some of those "harmless" vapors are instead sinister "chemtrails." … Some say the cloudy lines are part of government weather-controlling experiments; others say that they're a form of germ warfare.—Benjamin Radford
Benjamin RadfordExamples of chemtrail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As myths about Milton and Helene spread, interest in chemtrails increased too on Google search and social media.
—Donie O'Sullivan, CNN, 10 Oct. 2024
Unfortunately, there has been a rash of conspiracy theories around HAARP, chemtrails, cloud seeding and other nonsense.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
In recent years, some chemtrails conspiracy theories have evolved, with believers suggesting that contrails are actually aerosols designed to control the weather or the climate.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
Yet the conspiracy has seemed to piggyback off of other unfounded theories, such as chemtrails.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
Other calls accuse the agency of causing chemtrails — a conspiracy theory claiming that condensation trials left behind by airplanes are toxic chemicals being sprayed on people for some unspecified nefarious reason.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
But Boots had more obscure conspiracies on her mind: chemtrails, ancient giants.
—Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2024
Claims purporting to prove chemtrails exist have been repeatedly debunked by USA TODAY and other fact-checkers.
—Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 8 June 2023
False claim geoengineering is behind climate change USA TODAY, Aug. 16, 2016, Scientists disprove airplane 'chemtrail' theory Thank you for supporting our journalism.
—Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2023
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Donie O'Sullivan, CNN, 10 Oct. 2024
Unfortunately, there has been a rash of conspiracy theories around HAARP, chemtrails, cloud seeding and other nonsense.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
In recent years, some chemtrails conspiracy theories have evolved, with believers suggesting that contrails are actually aerosols designed to control the weather or the climate.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
Yet the conspiracy has seemed to piggyback off of other unfounded theories, such as chemtrails.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
Other calls accuse the agency of causing chemtrails — a conspiracy theory claiming that condensation trials left behind by airplanes are toxic chemicals being sprayed on people for some unspecified nefarious reason.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
But Boots had more obscure conspiracies on her mind: chemtrails, ancient giants.
—Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2024
Claims purporting to prove chemtrails exist have been repeatedly debunked by USA TODAY and other fact-checkers.
—Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 8 June 2023
False claim geoengineering is behind climate change USA TODAY, Aug. 16, 2016, Scientists disprove airplane 'chemtrail' theory Thank you for supporting our journalism.
—Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near chemtrail
Cite this Entry
“Chemtrail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemtrail. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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