pistol-whipped; pistol-whipping; pistol-whips
Synonyms of pistol-whipnext

transitive verb

: to beat with a pistol

Examples of pistol-whip in a Sentence

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.
Placed in a jail cell wired with hidden microphones, Jester bragged to his cellmate that when Jackson tried to fight back, he pistol-whipped the rapper and shot him three times in the back. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The woman told deputies that over three days she was repeatedly beaten, pistol-whipped and strangled into near unconsciousness before receiving yet another beating Sunday morning. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026 Prosecutors allege that six of Arnold’s associates actually carried out the crimes, holding, beating and pistol-whipping the victims, and that Arnold wasn’t there at the time. John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 The men, all in their late teens, were allegedly beaten and pistol-whipped by two of the co-defendants, while a third streamed the assault to Arnold and other suspects who were traveling to the apartment, police said. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pistol-whip

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pistol-whip was circa 1930

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pistol-whip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol-whip. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

pistol-whip

verb
: to beat with a pistol

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