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.
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe is asking her colleagues to support a proposal that could phase out the use of pepper spray in local juvenile detention facilities. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025 The lawsuit also indicates officers, on various occasions, used pepper spray on Gibson after he was extracted from the cell and as he was being prepared for transport to the county jail. Christina Hall, Freep.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Weapons of any kind (no knives or mace/pepper spray of any size). Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025 And one officer, after the official march ended, sent stream of pepper spray into a crowd. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pepper spray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepper%20spray. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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