assault rifle
noun
: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire
also
: a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire
Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The initial 10-week training program for National Guard recruits includes learning skills such as the use of M16 military assault rifles and grenade launchers.
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Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Stone said the group understands there are uses for guns in hunting and self-defense, but assault rifles should not be in public spaces because they are intended to cause the most harm.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
The shooting occurred in the same time frame as other shootings involving an assault rifle that occurred in San Diego and National City, according to police.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
The systems, ranging from advanced assault rifles to stealth fighters and hypersonic missiles, reflect Beijing’s rapid push to field a modern, networked military.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault rifle
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Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Stone said the group understands there are uses for guns in hunting and self-defense, but assault rifles should not be in public spaces because they are intended to cause the most harm.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
The shooting occurred in the same time frame as other shootings involving an assault rifle that occurred in San Diego and National City, according to police.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
The systems, ranging from advanced assault rifles to stealth fighters and hypersonic missiles, reflect Beijing’s rapid push to field a modern, networked military.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assault rifle
Cite this Entry
“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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