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

The agent deploying pepper spray stops and walks away for a few seconds before turning around and spraying again. —Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026

In some cases, such as the moments leading up to the fatal shooting on Saturday of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, the use of pepper spray appeared to inflame confrontations. —Martin Kaste, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026

And while most have been peaceful, there has been tear gas and pepper spray deployed to disperse these crowds. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

This shows Pretti standing among a group of protesters with both hands visible, while holding his phone in one hand as an agent squirted pepper spray at the group. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pepper spray

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway