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

Following his arrest, authorities found a semiautomatic rifle, five rifle magazines, about 190 rounds of ammunition, pepper spray, an entrenchment tool, and about 30 knives, according to the affidavit. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

The inspector general’s office reviewed a random sample of five use-of-force incidents out of 44, and found staff used inappropriate force in four — deploying pepper spray against detainees, some of whom were already restrained. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Agents also found a rifle scope and bipod, an entrenchment tool, pepper spray and about 30 knives. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Later, cellphone footage showed a masked agent lean out a car window as the caravan passed the Verazas’ car and deploy pepper spray. — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pepper spray

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