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.
Wildlife experts typically use non-lethal methods for keeping grizzlies and other wildlife away from people and trash, including noisemakers or even pepper spray. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 17 May 2025 Two years later, they were attacked by Cossacks with whips and pepper spray at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025 Police used pepper spray, plastic pellets and water cannons against protesters in Turkey's capital early Thursday, the latest clash in the country's biggest anti-government protests in over a decade. Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025 Protesters were at one point forcibly removed from the area with smoke canisters and pepper spray just before Trump, who was in his first term, walked through Lafayette Park to pose for photographs at a nearby church. Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 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 23 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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