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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gunning
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
Because a fully healthy right fielder would have come up gunning on that play 10 times out of 10.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 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
The Yankees are obviously gunning for the division victory to ensure home field for at least the wild card round of the postseason.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
American star Courtney Dauwalter has done it three times (2019, 2021, 2023) and is gunning for a fourth.
—Sierra Shafer, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
Yet beneath the pyrotechnics, the filmmakers are gunning for emotional resonance that transcends the visual fireworks.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2025
This is the third date for the upcoming film, which was originally gunning for an April 4, 2025 release before getting bumped to sometime in 2026.
—EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
Because a fully healthy right fielder would have come up gunning on that play 10 times out of 10.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 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
The Yankees are obviously gunning for the division victory to ensure home field for at least the wild card round of the postseason.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
American star Courtney Dauwalter has done it three times (2019, 2021, 2023) and is gunning for a fourth.
—Sierra Shafer, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
Yet beneath the pyrotechnics, the filmmakers are gunning for emotional resonance that transcends the visual fireworks.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2025
This is the third date for the upcoming film, which was originally gunning for an April 4, 2025 release before getting bumped to sometime in 2026.
—EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunning
Verb
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The killing triggered widespread political turmoil, outrage, and a manhunt, resulting in the arrest of shooting suspect Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
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Speaking of performance what was the experience of shooting Song Sung Blue with Hugh Jackman like?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The company has yet to disclose financial details of the projects, and so far has requested drilling on small footprints totaling 280 acres.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Sep. 2025
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Their tasks frequently involve manual tools -cutting debris, drilling through rubble, or lifting objects, etc.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Demolition derbies bring the sounds of revving engines and metal crashing into metal to rural arenas all over Arkansas, especially during this time of year when county fairs are popping up.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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Travel and socializing with friends, neighbors, and siblings could also be popping up for you quite soon.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunning. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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