gun 1 of 2

noun

ˈgən How to pronounce gun (audio)
Definition of gunnext
1
as in firearm
a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder while her father preferred hunting with a crossbow, she preferred a gun

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2
as in artillery
guns plural large firearms (as cannons or rockets) the field commander called for the big guns to be deployed for the full-scale assault

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gun

2 of 2

verb

as in to shoot
to strike with a missile from a gun traded stories of the Wild West, when outlaws gunned men down in broad daylight and in cold blood

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of gun
Noun
But this time, his front-right tire was slow to come off, seemingly as the wheel gun did not connect with the wheel nut on the first attempt. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 Less than two weeks later, the Justice Department moved to drop charges against the suspect, who was arrested with several guns. — Andrew Goudsward and Ted Hesson, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
Don’t think the Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t also gunning for the Dodgers. — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Thanks to the editors for giving us two very compelling packages, the first of Erika, Kyle, Dorit, and Lisa Rinna (catching strays long after her departure) gunning for Sutton and another of the things Sutton has done that maybe motivated the women to treat her like that. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gun
  1. firearm
  2. artillery
  3. rifle
  4. drill
Noun
  • Authorities found a 9 mm pistol, three additional firearms, ammunition and two suppressors in Santos' bedroom, according to court documents.
    — Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Also, on Georgia's public Wildlife Management Areas, tegus can be killed with firearms legal during the current hunting season.
    — Cheryl McCloud, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of firearm
Noun
  • For instance, the Army has reduced the weight of the caisson, or artillery wagon, from 2,600 pounds to 1,400 pounds to ease some of the strain on the horses and changed the formation of the squad from six horses to 11, so there are back-up horses available, if needed.
    — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • And almost every day, in response to this proposal, there are Russian drones, bombs, artillery shelling and ballistic strikes.
    — Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of artillery
Noun
  • They were being led to the Danube by teenagers with rifles.
    — Gabra Zackman Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • During a search of DeFelice’s residence on Feb. 17, 2022, investigators reportedly seized two short barrel rifles, 67 other firearms, a silencer with no serial number, more than 28 high-capacity magazines and other firearm parts, according to court records.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of rifle
Verb
  • There's no holes to be drilled to fit the accessories; their installation is completely reversable.
    — Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There's no holes to be drilled to fit the accessories; their installation is completely reversable.
    — Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of drill

Phrases Containing gun

Browse Nearby Words

gum (up)
gun
gundog
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Cite this Entry

“Gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gun. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gun

Nglish: Translation of gun for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gun

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