assault rifle

noun

Synonyms of assault riflenext
: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire
also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence

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.
State special agents and the Roseville Police SWAT team raided Berman’s home on Nov. 12, seizing eight assault rifles and a silencer, Bonta said in a news release. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 19 Feb. 2025 One of the ghost guns was an AR-15-style assault rifle, and two additional AR-15-style assault weapons were also recovered, prosecutors said. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 The suspect was reportedly carrying an assault rifle and a handgun. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025 Three weapons were found in the truck: an assault rifle and two pistols, including a .50 caliber Desert Eagle. — Dave Philipps, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assault rifle

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assault rifle was in 1950

Rhymes for assault rifle

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assault rifle
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Cite this Entry

“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun
: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon

More from Merriam-Webster on assault rifle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for assault rifle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assault rifle

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