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.
The plaintiffs alleged in the lawsuit that police used excessive force and violated their constitutional rights by deploying tear gas, chemical irritants, projectiles, grenades and pepper spray. Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025 Someone used pepper spray during the fight and everyone dispersed, police said. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Oct. 2025 Weapons of any kind (no knives or mace/pepper spray of any size). Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025 Tole, who was allegedly thrown into a wall and on the ground, fought back with pepper spray and eventually a knife in self-defense, per the local news station. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 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 21 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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