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

The report also included policy recommendations for DHS, such as ending roving patrols, prohibiting federal agents from carrying tear gas and pepper spray as a regular course of practice and equipping all agents with body cameras. —Selina Guevara, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026

They were met by police who repelled them with tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray. —ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026

The complaint stated that officers unleashed a torrent of pepper spray, tear gas grenades, rubber bullets and baton strikes, despite the women posing no threat and complying with officers’ orders. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026

The pair stabbed him in the back with an unidentified sharp object and doused him in pepper spray, before punching and kicking him in the face, police said. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

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