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
Overcome with fear, Krug took firearms training and bought a handgun and pepper spray.
—
Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
More than 400 teenagers took over a park in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood on Wednesday night, sending a nearby Target into lockdown while officers used pepper spray to break up the crowd, authorities said.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 18 June 2026
In April, police used tear gas and pepper spray to repel a large group of animal welfare activists that stormed the farm in an attempt to take beagles from the facility.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
The woman used pepper spray to defend herself, then shot her attacker, according to police.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pepper spray
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Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
More than 400 teenagers took over a park in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood on Wednesday night, sending a nearby Target into lockdown while officers used pepper spray to break up the crowd, authorities said.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 18 June 2026
In April, police used tear gas and pepper spray to repel a large group of animal welfare activists that stormed the farm in an attempt to take beagles from the facility.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
The woman used pepper spray to defend herself, then shot her attacker, according to police.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pepper spray
Cite this Entry
“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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