gunman

noun

gun·​man ˈgən-mən How to pronounce gunman (audio)
Synonyms of gunmannext
1
: a man armed with a gun
especially : a professional killer
2
: a man noted for speed or skill in handling a gun

Examples of gunman in a Sentence

They were shot by an unknown gunman.
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.
Enola wastes no time in finding the gunman and is shocked to see that Professor Rathe is actually her former enemy, Moriarty (Duncan-Brewster). Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 Niger state is also a hot spot for gunmen who kidnap for ransom and impose taxes on farming communities. ABC News, 2 July 2026 Syria held the first phase of its parliamentary elections in October while excluding the southern province of Sweida, which is controlled by Druze gunmen opposed to the central government. Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Johnson had a close brush with violence during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April when a gunman opened fire in a Washington, DC, hotel. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunman

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunman was in 1590

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Cite this Entry

“Gunman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunman. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

gunman

noun
gun·​man -mən How to pronounce gunman (audio)
: a person armed with a gun
especially : an armed criminal

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