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.
Face masks used by protesters to conceal their identities and protect against pepper spray would also be banned. Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024 The brawl got so intense that police had to step in and pepper spray players to stop the chaos. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 An all-out brawl occurred, to the point where pepper spray had to be used on players. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024 Neo-Nazis in Ohio were ‘covered in’ pepper spray A report this week from USA TODAY Network’s The Columbus Dispatch reveals new details about a short march by a small group of neo-Nazis in Columbus two weeks ago. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near pepper spray

Cite this Entry

“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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