point-blank

adjective

ˈpȯint-ˈblaŋk 

1

a

: marked by no appreciable drop below initial horizontal line of flight

b

: so close to a target that a missile fired will travel in a straight line to the mark

2

: direct, blunt

a point-blank refusal

point-blank adverb

Examples of point-blank in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sead Kolasinac races forward to the gap between the zonal defenders to flick the ball on and the ensuing chaos sees Jovo Lukic head past Maxime Crepeau from point-blank range. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The Cape Verde supporters also erupted in the 62nd minute when their beloved 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha denied Messi at point-blank range. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Haaland was also denied by Pickford on a point-blank header in the first half. — ABC News, 11 July 2026

Knoxville, who was writing an article that led him to test self-defense equipment by using various weapons on himself, fires a revolver at his own chest from point-blank range while wearing a bulletproof vest. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for point-blank

• gangplank
• nonbank
• outflank
• sandbank
• antitank
• interbank
• riverbank
• banc
• bank
• blank
• clank
• crank

Kids Definition

point-blank

adjective

ˈpȯint-ˈblaŋk

1

: aimed at a target from a very short distance away

fired from point-blank range

2

: blunt entry 1 sense 3, direct

a point-blank refusal

point-blank adverb