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
An officer used pepper spray to disperse her three dogs so the woman could be rescued, police said.
—
Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
As the chaos dissipated, the smell of pepper spray in the chapel still lingered, so the ceremony was moved into the foyer.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Knives, firearms, pepper spray, fireworks or weapons of any kind, including toy weapons.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
Lyoness suggests other solo runners always carry a phone or smartwatch, be aware of their surroundings and have a safety weapon like pepper spray while out jogging.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2024
One of the mothers discharged pepper spray, according to authorities.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024
An unknown number of protesters were treated at the scene for injuries related to pepper spray used to disperse the crowd.
—Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2024
Authorities did not know how Ruffin got his hands on pepper spray.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024
Some protesters were treated at the scene for injuries related to pepper spray used to disperse the crowd, and CMPD reported that a tractor-trailer was set on fire.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2024
Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
As the chaos dissipated, the smell of pepper spray in the chapel still lingered, so the ceremony was moved into the foyer.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Knives, firearms, pepper spray, fireworks or weapons of any kind, including toy weapons.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
Lyoness suggests other solo runners always carry a phone or smartwatch, be aware of their surroundings and have a safety weapon like pepper spray while out jogging.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2024
One of the mothers discharged pepper spray, according to authorities.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024
An unknown number of protesters were treated at the scene for injuries related to pepper spray used to disperse the crowd.
—Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2024
Authorities did not know how Ruffin got his hands on pepper spray.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024
Some protesters were treated at the scene for injuries related to pepper spray used to disperse the crowd, and CMPD reported that a tractor-trailer was set on fire.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 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.
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Cite this Entry
“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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