point-blank

adjective

ˈpȯint-ˈblaŋk How to pronounce point-blank (audio)
Synonyms of point-blanknext
1
a
: marked by no appreciable drop below initial horizontal line of flight
b
: so close to a target that a missile fired will travel in a straight line to the mark
2
: direct, blunt
a point-blank refusal
point-blank adverb

Examples of point-blank 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.
Shortly after dropping his children off at preschool and going to the gym, the Florida State University law professor was sitting in his car in his driveway when he was shot twice in the head at point-blank range. — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 Officer Caleb Garcia-Alamilla fired one round at point-blank range that struck Maccani in his right arm and traveled into his chest, police said. — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 More notable than Druckenmiller’s point-blank admission, however, was the WSJ‘s response cosigning Druckenmiller’s argument. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026 After a Rapids giveaway in their defensive third, Valakari opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a first-touch shot from point-blank range. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for point-blank

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of point-blank was in 1591

Rhymes for point-blank

See All Rhymes for point-blank

Browse Nearby Words

point at infinity
point-blank
point count
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Point-blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point-blank. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

point-blank

adjective
ˈpȯint-ˈblaŋk
1
: aimed at a target from a very short distance away
fired from point-blank range
2
: blunt entry 1 sense 3, direct
a point-blank refusal
point-blank adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on point-blank

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for point-blank

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