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

According to the department's policy manual, all uniformed officers who have been trained to use Tasers must carry them, as well as either a baton or pepper spray. —CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025

Water can also be used to clean wounds and flush the eyes of anyone who's been hit with chemical gas or pepper spray. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025

Chris McGrath / Getty Images While the protests have largely gone off without incident, some have turned violent, with demonstrators throwing stones, fireworks and other objects at riot police and officers deploying water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025

Gierek also provided the man tape, pepper spray and a taser for the task, per the release. —Rhiannon Saegert, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025

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