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

Last month, a federal appeals court suspended a decision that prohibited federal officers from using tear gas or pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota who aren't obstructing law enforcement. —CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

Agents told reporters at the scene to stay back and threatened to use pepper spray. —Ryan Murphy, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026

In that case, officers failed to keep two youths separated after a fight and ended up using pepper spray when a second brawl broke out. —Jason Henry, Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026

After a peaceful march to the Georgia State Capitol that swelled into the hundreds, protestors returned to the area around the Centennial Olympic Park and CNN Center, where some confronted police, who sprayed some demonstrators with pepper spray. —Ernie Suggs, AJC.com, 1 Feb. 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