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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Johnson said that officers activated their Tasers and threatened to discharge pepper spray but did not follow through with either tactic. Ilana Arougheti june 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026 Tear gas and pepper spray are especially toxic to children. ProPublica, 10 June 2026 Clashes with police, pepper spray used Video also shows fights breaking out on 42nd Street and clashes with police. Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 9 June 2026 Witnesses confirmed pepper spray was deployed during the incident. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pepper spray

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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