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.
Political leaders in California expressed relief that no one was hurt at the dinner as the gunman fired shots while trying to enter the ballroom. The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026 Forty-five years later, a similar attempt occurred at the White House correspondents’ dinner when a gunman opened fire near the hotel’s ballroom. Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026 If events at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner had gone differently, a gunman who breached security at the Washington Hilton could have reached a ballroom containing an unusually dense cluster of American power. Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026 Today's top stories The alleged gunman at the White House Correspondents' Dinner is scheduled to make his first court appearance today. Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunman. Accessed 28 Apr. 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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