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

In court, his siblings testified that Gabriel had been beaten with a wooden club and a broomstick, and tortured with pepper spray, Icy Hot, a metal hanger, a belt, lighters and BB guns, among other objects. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026

Officers obtained and executed a warrant to search his vehicle, which was nearby, and found an airsoft gun, pepper spray, gloves and a facemask. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Then, police say, Shipp got a hold of an officer’s pepper spray but wasn’t able to use it. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police did use pepper spray on a smaller group of people marching after the official end of the first rally in June and make two arrests. —Mary Ramsey march 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 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