assault weapon

noun

Definition of assault weaponnext
as in assault rifle

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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 weapon 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 The day before, the DOJ sued Denver over its assault weapons ban. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 20 May 2026 Neither the government’s evidence nor that from the Haitian police, including an AR-15 style assault weapon borrowed from the parallel Haiti investigation, can be trusted, lawyers for each of the defendants told jurors. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 May 2026 Jones was arrested on charges of possession of an assault weapon, possession of a large capacity magazine, carrying a pistol without a permit and interfering with an officer. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for assault weapon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assault weapon
  1. assault rifle
  2. machine gun
  3. submachine gun
  4. machine pistol
  5. tommy gun
Noun
  • Then in 1989, an assailant attacked an elementary school in Stockton, California, using an assault rifle to kill five people and wound 29, prompting public outcry and calls to restrict such weapons.
    — Robert Spitzer, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • According to the complaint, Mohamud knowingly received a firearm and ammunition, including a Norinco AK-47 assault rifle and approximately 200 live rounds of ammunition, to commit a felony and a federal crime of terrorism.
    — Whitney Wild, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of assault rifle
Noun
  • Agents also learned Uribe had sold another rifle modified to operate as a machine gun in August 2022.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On his cellphone, according to the complaint, investigators found messages about drug trafficking and firearms, including devices capable of converting Glock pistols into a fully automatic machine gun.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

assaults
assault weapon
assault weapons
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Cite this Entry

“Assault weapon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assault%20weapon. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on assault weapon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assault weapon

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