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
Weapons of any kind (no knives or mace/pepper spray of any size).
—
Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Remaining as quiet as possible, Super grabbed her bear spray, an aerosol repellent loaded with the chemical compound capsaicin, which is also found in human pepper spray.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
The incident unfolded as ICE agents carried out a removal operation, when protesters surrounded them and physically assaulted four officers, throwing punches and deploying pepper spray.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Staff used pepper spray to subdue youths who were suicidal, medically vulnerable and as young as 12, the groups said, asking for a federal investigation into the practices.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pepper spray
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Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Remaining as quiet as possible, Super grabbed her bear spray, an aerosol repellent loaded with the chemical compound capsaicin, which is also found in human pepper spray.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
The incident unfolded as ICE agents carried out a removal operation, when protesters surrounded them and physically assaulted four officers, throwing punches and deploying pepper spray.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Staff used pepper spray to subdue youths who were suicidal, medically vulnerable and as young as 12, the groups said, asking for a federal investigation into the practices.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pepper spray
Cite this Entry
“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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