assault rifle

noun

Definition of assault riflenext
as in assault weapon

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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 assault rifle The arrest Saturday of a Florida man who was allegedly carrying an assault rifle in his luggage offered a stark reminder of the challenges facing the country. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026 Colin Gray, the father who gifted his teen son the assault rifle used in the deadly mass shooting at Georgia’s Apalachee High School, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. — Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 31 July 2026 Colin Gray, 55, admitted to providing the assault rifle used by his then-14-year-old son in the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, which killed two students and two teachers. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 July 2026 Henrichsen reportedly had an AR-15 assault rifle and knives in the trailer with him. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for assault rifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault rifle
  1. assault weapon
  2. machine gun
  3. submachine gun
  4. machine pistol
  5. tommy gun
  6. rifle
Noun
  • However, even in semi-automatic firing mode, the assault weapon is destructive and usually retains other military features.
    — Robert Spitzer, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Valdez was booked on suspicion of brandishing a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of an assault weapon and possession of a suppressor.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of assault weapon
Noun
  • Agents also learned Uribe had sold another rifle modified to operate as a machine gun in August 2022.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On his cellphone, according to the complaint, investigators found messages about drug trafficking and firearms, including devices capable of converting Glock pistols into a fully automatic machine gun.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of machine gun
Noun
  • On the roof, a three-year-old boy from Chile plays with a toy submachine gun, pointing it at anyone who comes within range.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Police learned Pyles owns a handgun and a submachine gun, according to charging documents.
    — Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Definition of submachine gun
Noun
  • One casing is a 9mm caliber, likely a pistol, or a machine pistol or a submachine gun, Weir said.
    — Mohammad Al Sawalhi, CNN, 26 June 2024
  • Deputies also allegedly found a MAC-10 machine pistol and a 9 mm handgun under the passenger seat.
    — Jason Green, The Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2019
Definition of machine pistol
Noun
  • Gunfire disrupts the silence as Raya emerges through smoke, armed with a tommy gun.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Gauging from the trailer, this grisly period piece appears to be set in the South with Jordan starring in a dual role as a pair of twins, at least one of whom gets to spray bullets with a retro tommy gun.
    — Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Definition of tommy gun
Noun
  • The attack came 10 days after settlers beat Agence France-Presse photographer Jaafar Ashtiyeh with rifle butts in the northern West Bank village of Aqraba.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In 2022, a 20-year-old gunman, a Bend resident, killed two people after walking into a grocery store with an AR-15-style rifle and opening fire.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of rifle

Browse Nearby Words

assaultiveness
assault rifle
assault rifles
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Cite this Entry

“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault%20rifle. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on assault rifle

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