as in shooting
to strike with a missile from a gun
traded stories of the Wild West, when outlaws gunned men down in broad daylight and in cold blood
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Recent Examples of gunning
The union is gunning for a 25 percent increase, which, in turn, would raise costs for health plan members, Kaiser said.
—
Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
So Grace is furious, mostly at Kate (because Kate was the messenger, but also because Grace has always disliked Kate for gunning for her job).
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Vrabel is gunning for her, her team and anyone standing in his path, sprinkling salt on select wounds along the way.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Continuum is gunning for state and federal tax credits, which are capped at 20% of eligible development costs.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
The Republicans’ refusal to negotiate — combined with the decision of House GOP leaders to cancel votes on the last two days before the shutdown deadline — has fueled the Democratic charges that GOP leaders are gunning for a shutdown.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025
Tailored from a wool mélange fabric in a double-breasted stance, it’s softened by an unpadded shoulder and open patch pockets, lest anyone accuse you of gunning for the corner office.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
Google may have escaped the most serious consequences in its most recent antitrust fight with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), but the European Union is still gunning for the search giant.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
Again, without spoiling too much, the arms dealer that Edwards and Hastings were gunning for in Iraq is now in Europe.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
So Grace is furious, mostly at Kate (because Kate was the messenger, but also because Grace has always disliked Kate for gunning for her job).
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Vrabel is gunning for her, her team and anyone standing in his path, sprinkling salt on select wounds along the way.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Continuum is gunning for state and federal tax credits, which are capped at 20% of eligible development costs.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
The Republicans’ refusal to negotiate — combined with the decision of House GOP leaders to cancel votes on the last two days before the shutdown deadline — has fueled the Democratic charges that GOP leaders are gunning for a shutdown.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025
Tailored from a wool mélange fabric in a double-breasted stance, it’s softened by an unpadded shoulder and open patch pockets, lest anyone accuse you of gunning for the corner office.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
Google may have escaped the most serious consequences in its most recent antitrust fight with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), but the European Union is still gunning for the search giant.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
Again, without spoiling too much, the arms dealer that Edwards and Hastings were gunning for in Iraq is now in Europe.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunning
Verb
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However, George has size, shooting ability and a pretty good feel for defense, plus enough ball skills to make it as a long-term combo forward.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Harvick also justified federal agents shooting a local pastor with a pepper ball.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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The match ended after Rhodes was disqualified for drilling McIntyre with his championship.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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All around Turkey, Farm Bank produce stands were popping up.—
Moisés Naím,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Sliding Barn Doors—Especially on Bathrooms Sliding barn doors were one of the most popular design trends of the mid-2000s, popping up in everything from farmhouse-style kitchens to modern bedrooms.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunning. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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