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

Rookie midfielder Taylor Huff opened the scoring for Bay with a point-blank goal in the 29th minute on a volley at the back post. —Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2025

Sean Payton told Yahoo Sports point-blank that this Broncos team is the seventh he’s had that he’s felt can win the Super Bowl, and quarterback Bo Nix and others are hardly shying away from the conversation. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 Aug. 2025

Despite shooting his victims at point-blank range, a number of people survived the Son of Sam attacks. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam spoke to reporters on Tuesday, and he was asked point-blank if the team plans to go after Arch Manning in 2026. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for point-blank

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

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