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
Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, although shootings are rare. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 The encounter lasted only moments before deputies saw a gun in Kreuzer’s hand and opened fire. — Daniel Hunt august 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
Amid allegations of sharing customer data with China, Australian payments startup Airwallex, now valued at $11 billion, is gunning for Stripe and Ramp. — Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Following the logical evidence feels like Detective 101, but their boss is gunning for an arrest so Gonzales gives in to Baxter’s impulse. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gun
  1. firearm
  2. artillery
  3. shoot
  4. rifle
  5. weapons
  6. drill
Noun
  • Authorities learned Kreuzer had previously been arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, domestic violence and leading law enforcement officers on a vehicle pursuit.
    — Daniel Hunt August 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • During these latest raids on five properties, the military seized 18,000 gallons of diesel, fuel tanks, pumps, firearms, and tools.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of firearm
Noun
  • Repkon said other countries were already using its machinery to build an older, simpler model of the artillery shells.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Nearby, blueberry bushes cover old foxholes, trenches and deep craters from artillery fire.
    — Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of artillery
Verb
  • Initially, responding officers believed one person had been shot, but more 911 calls came in reporting there was additional gunfire.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • It was shot after dark and follows the cast through the streets, waterfronts, cars and bridges of New York City.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of shoot
Noun
  • Per the initial information, someone shot back from inside the park, and officers later found two sets of shell casings in the park and across the street, including rifle casings.
    — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On March 12, a gunman drove through the halls of Temple Israel with several explosives and a rifle in his vehicle before being killed in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement on March 12.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of rifle
Noun
  • Lebanese soldiers deployed there are tasked with preventing armed non-state actors, like Hezbollah, from coming in; confiscating any weapons and remnants of war; and restoring state authority.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • By the end of 2010, the TSA had deployed around 500 machines designed to detect non-metallic weapons and explosives, the TSA's website said.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of weapons
Verb
  • Woodland drilled his second shot on the par-5 18th hole from 279 yards to 9 feet, 4 inches.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Options considered during the analysis included drilling holes in the existing piles and adding more steel inside, or widening the pile caps so more piles could be added on the outside.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of drill

Phrases Containing gun

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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 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gun

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gun

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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