derringer

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 derringer One hundred and fifty-nine years ago, a 26-year-old white supremacist and Confederate sympathizer named John Wilkes Booth pointed a .44 caliber derringer pistol at the back of Abraham Lincoln’s head and squeezed the trigger. Brian Matthew Jordan, National Review, 14 Apr. 2024 In 1976, after wrecking his Rolls-Royce in a drunk-driving accident, he was arrested, intoxicated, with a loaded derringer on the grounds of Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate. Chris Morris, Variety, 28 Oct. 2022 Police found a silver derringer-style gun in his backpack at the time of his arrest. oregonlive, 21 June 2022 There's also a replica of the derringer pistol John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln. Ariana Garcia, Chron, 13 May 2022 Wagrowski also testified that police found two guns -- a .22-caliber Kel-tec and a small derringer -- at the Crumbley home, aside from the one allegedly used in the shooting. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2022 Police arrested a Sandusky man, 29, who was carrying a Ruger .45 caliber pistol with three magazines containing 22 rounds, along with a loaded High Standard derringer. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 23 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derringer
Noun
  • Russian roulette is a deadly game involving a single bullet placed into a revolver.
    Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025
  • That’s when, police believe, Flores allegedly went back inside, grabbed a revolver and fired toward the man, per the outlets.
    Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Most often heard as a voice in Mark’s earpiece, Cecil enters the fight in Invincible VS with specialized weapons, including plasma pistols, projectile launchers and grenades to keep opponents at a distance.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
  • On Friday, when police arrived at Garnett's residence to serve a search warrant, Garnett fled on foot with a pistol in a holster on his hip.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Deputies responded to the scene and found a black and purple 9mm handgun inside a large dumpster near the school parking lot.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
  • According to police, a physical fight then ensued when Hampton took out a handgun and allegedly shot Simpson three times.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Its big selling feature is a revolver-like cylinder that spins and snicks along on precision bearings, just like the cylinder of a six-shooter.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 June 2025
  • Richard’s odds are lousier than Reacher’s were when Beck forced Reacher to play because this revolver is a five-shot model instead of a six-shooter.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • There were four Elvises—two in fading black and white, two in lurid colour—all aiming a six-gun straight at her.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 30 Aug. 2023
Noun
  • The deputy drew his 9mm sidearm and the detective fired at Ruth with his own AR-style rifle.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Herbert ran to his right on the Kansas City 23-yard line and slung a sidearm pass to Johnston for his second touchdown of the game.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That would include gun-violence restraining orders and domestic violence protective orders, which are among several kinds of orders that compel a restrained person to surrender firearms.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Robinson was also charged with firearm counts and multiple obstruction-of-justice charges.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Secure the hardware with nails, or use a hot glue gun as a backup.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Pearson's campaign platform includes labor rights and living wages, affordable housing, Medicare for All, environmental justice, federal investment to combat poverty and gun reform.
    Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Derringer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derringer. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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