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

Futterman argued that federal agents have repeatedly used tear gas and pepper spray against non-violent protesters, clergy or members of the press throughout the eight weeks since the Chicago-area immigration enforcement campaign known as Operation Midway Blitz began. —Nbc Chicago, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025

Agents appear to fight off a screaming crowd trying to help the man by pushing them away and threatening them with pepper spray. —Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025

As Border patrol arrested one individual, who actively resisted arrest, pepper spray was deployed spray to deter the agitator and disperse the crowd. —NPR, 3 Nov. 2025

Ellis' orders compel agents to give warnings before using chemical agents such as pepper spray and limit using physical force to instances where agents face immediate harm. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

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