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 Emergency police communications described the victim being hit with pepper spray. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The deputy had her pepper spray, Taser and weapon on her as Ruffin escaped and was able to fire three shots at him. Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024 Plus, this pepper spray contains up to 25 bursts, working to ward off multiple assailants with its quick-release key ring that’s simple to work in an emergency. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2023 In more than half of the 31 deaths involving spit hoods that The Marshall Project and WTSP compiled, police agencies used the hood in conjunction with other restraint techniques or tactical weapons, including hog-tying, pepper spray and stun guns. Daphne Duret, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 By late morning, the police had made a half dozen attempts to disperse them using a mix of tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray, but to no avail. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 12 Feb. 2024 Northeast Florida State doesn’t have armed guards, pepper spray, handcuffs or barbed wire. Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2024 The officers attempted to repel Bru with pepper spray but were ultimately unsuccessful. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024 Katz said investigators also found knapsacks with firearms, smoke bombs, extra magazines, a baton, pepper spray, food and water bottles. Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pepper spray.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pepper spray was in 1979

Dictionary Entries Near pepper spray

Cite this Entry

“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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