assault rifle

noun

Definition of assault riflenext
as in assault weapon

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of assault rifle Separately, a female Channel-3 presenter, Mobina Nasiri, addressed viewers while grasping an assault rifle with both hands. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 May 2026 Who needs an assault rifle with a 100-round cylinder? — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026 According to Tejada, police found that Jones allegedly had an AR-15 assault rifle in his bookbag. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026 Samuel is too comfortable with his father’s assault rifle, pantomiming intimidation into the mirror like a 13-year-old Travis Bickle. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assault rifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault rifle
  1. assault weapon
  2. machine gun
  3. submachine gun
  4. machine pistol
  5. tommy gun
  6. rifle
Noun
  • Gun sales in Virginia have surged in recent months ahead of a July 1 ban on the sale of assault weapons, according to data from the FBI.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
  • Machado faces dozens of charges, including seven counts of murder, four counts of possession of an unlicensed assault weapon and multiple charges related to the possession of explosives.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
Definition of assault weapon
Noun
  • The indictment charging Bhagwanpuria also details members of the organized crime group selling semiautomatic rifles, a machine gun and pistols in parking lots across Southern California.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Four juveniles were taken into custody and face charges that include third-degree assault by mob, assault on police while resisting arrest, resisting arrest, possession of a machine gun and breach of peace.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of machine gun
Noun
  • On the roof, a three-year-old boy from Chile plays with a toy submachine gun, pointing it at anyone who comes within range.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Police learned Pyles owns a handgun and a submachine gun, according to charging documents.
    — Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Definition of submachine gun
Noun
  • One casing is a 9mm caliber, likely a pistol, or a machine pistol or a submachine gun, Weir said.
    — Mohammad Al Sawalhi, CNN, 26 June 2024
  • Deputies also allegedly found a MAC-10 machine pistol and a 9 mm handgun under the passenger seat.
    — Jason Green, The Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2019
Definition of machine pistol
Noun
  • Gunfire disrupts the silence as Raya emerges through smoke, armed with a tommy gun.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Gauging from the trailer, this grisly period piece appears to be set in the South with Jordan starring in a dual role as a pair of twins, at least one of whom gets to spray bullets with a retro tommy gun.
    — Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Definition of tommy gun
Noun
  • The cartridge casings found inside Robinson’s home had been fired by the rifle found near campus, according to a US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives report read in court.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Faumuina also testified that what was likely Robinson’s DNA was found on the rifle itself.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of rifle

Browse Nearby Words

assaultiveness
assault rifle
assault rifles
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Cite this Entry

“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault%20rifle. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on assault rifle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assault rifle

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