pepper spray

noun

: a temporarily disabling aerosol that is composed partly of capsicum oleoresin and causes irritation and blinding of the eyes and inflammation of the nose, throat, and skin

Examples of pepper spray in a Sentence

The police used pepper spray to bring the suspect under control.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Federal authorities used pepper spray, but some demonstrators came prepared with gas masks and shields. Christine Sloan, CBS News, 28 May 2026 In 2024, Officer Linda Holland used pepper spray to stop a group of girls from fighting and then kneed one of the girls in the face, video footage shows. Clare Amari, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Other children were sitting in their parents’ cars when officers fired pepper spray through the driver’s side windows. Lisa Song, ProPublica, 27 May 2026 Some agents were also seen deploying pepper spray while others used batons against the agitators. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pepper spray

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pepper spray was in 1979

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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