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 pair stabbed him in the back with an unidentified sharp object and doused him in pepper spray, before punching and kicking him in the face, police said. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

Herrera appeared to hold up that pepper spray canister again before getting away. —Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026

They were met by police who repelled them with tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray. —Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

About 1,000 animal welfare activists attempted to enter a beagle research facility in Wisconsin on Saturday, prompting law enforcement to fire rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd and arrest multiple people, including the group’s leader. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 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