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
In the episode, Claudia Ferri and Kristen Wiig go all out and get into a fight after Raquel (Ferri) pulls a gun on Maxine (Wiig). — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 Separately, the department recently decided against challenging a court ruling that struck down regulations on firearm suppressors and certain guns. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
Look for Spain to come out gunning in this one. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 21 June 2026 Despite the good news, Combs’ legal team is still gunning for an appeal to get him out, stat. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 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
  • Bragg's office contends that the state charges, including murder and firearms offenses, involve different legal elements and criminal conduct than federal charges, which alleged Mangione traveled across state lines to stalk and kill Thompson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Police said investigators obtained arrest warrants for malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and said additional charges could be added later.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of firearm
Noun
  • Those roads and trails are often where vehicles become vulnerable to artillery, drones, mines, and small arms fire.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
  • According to the database, Germany also financed a transfer of 12 PzH-2000 155mm artillery guns from Qatar that were delivered in 2024 and 2025.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of artillery
Verb
  • More than 540 foreign film and TV productions shot in Thailand last year, drawn in part by cash rebates of up to 30% for eligible projects.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • There, in the woods, Berezovska was shot in the head multiple times.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of shoot
Noun
  • His shot is a rifle, and his one-timer can be a legit weapon from range.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Stevenson was previously convicted in Miami-Dade County in July for possession of a short-barrel shotgun, rifle or machine gun.
    — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of rifle
Noun
  • Such weapons are proving increasingly difficult for Kyiv to shoot down, with supplies of US Patriot interceptors – one of the few systems capable of taking down ballistic missiles pretty much exhausted.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Some still laden with weapons, the ships belonged to Nazi Germany's Black Sea fleet that was deliberately sunk near the end of the war as German troops retreated from Romania and Soviet forces advanced deeper into Europe.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of weapons
Verb
  • Founded by former truck driver Chace Barber, the company is focusing on diesel-electric tech to power real working vehicles like log loaders, crane trucks, and drilling rigs.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The two-time All-Star shot 4 of 6 from the field and drilled two 3s.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 15 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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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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