incapacitant

American

[in-kuh-pas-i-tuhnt] / ˌɪn kəˈpæs ɪ tənt /

noun

something, as a chemical spray, that incapacitates an individual.

to use incapacitants for riot control.

incapacitant British

/ ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪtənt /

noun

a substance that can temporarily incapacitate a person, used esp as a weapon in chemical warfare

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of incapacitant

First recorded in 1960–65; incapacit(ate) + -ant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He added that officers had better and more effective equipment, and had stronger incapacitant spray, as well as water cannon "which they didn't have to fire up".

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2025

Prison officers currently only carry an extendable baton and Pava incapacitant spray - synthetic pepper spray.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2025

Three officers used their incapacitant sprays within 35 seconds of arriving at the scene.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2022

In 2017 and 2018, the chemical incapacitant was trialled in four prisons - Hull, Preston, Risley in Warrington and Wealstun, North Yorkshire.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2020

To most observers, the team of six constables in attendance would look completely ordinary, with batons, handcuffs and incapacitant spray attached to their belts.

From The Guardian • May 23, 2020

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023