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.
This ranking was achieved despite reports of a peaceful campus protest which ending in a police crackdown, which saw 27 arrests and pepper spray used on students. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Henriques, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025 Responding officers were able to chase the dogs away after using pepper spray on them. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 Inside were 82 fireworks, three knives, two replica firearms and a canister of pepper spray. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2024 Another 150 officers were injured by attackers who wielded baseball bats, pepper spray and brass knuckles. Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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