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
Relevance
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 gunning
However, the Philadelphia Flyers (88 points) and Columbus Blue Jackets (88) are gunning for that third and final divisional spot in the few games remaining.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
The crew of Artemis II, gunning for a launch from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday evening, features what would be the first Black man, first woman and first person from a country other than the United States to ever fly past low-Earth orbit.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
In the restaurants, especially SoNoMa, there is particular focus on responsibly local and environmentally friendly sourcing, with the team gunning to start a comprehensive composting system.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly gunning to go public in a historic trillion dollar IPO.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
The teaser also offers the first look at Robert Pattinson as Scytale, the shape-shifting antagonist gunning to take down Paul.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Five programs are gunning for their first state title, most of which are in their finals debut.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
North Hollywood and Grant are gunning for the East Valley League championship, a title the Lancers have grasped for four straight years with just one league loss in that span.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
He is accused of gunning Thompson down outside a Midtown hotel, setting off a manhunt spanning several states.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
The crew of Artemis II, gunning for a launch from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday evening, features what would be the first Black man, first woman and first person from a country other than the United States to ever fly past low-Earth orbit.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
In the restaurants, especially SoNoMa, there is particular focus on responsibly local and environmentally friendly sourcing, with the team gunning to start a comprehensive composting system.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly gunning to go public in a historic trillion dollar IPO.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
The teaser also offers the first look at Robert Pattinson as Scytale, the shape-shifting antagonist gunning to take down Paul.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Five programs are gunning for their first state title, most of which are in their finals debut.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
North Hollywood and Grant are gunning for the East Valley League championship, a title the Lancers have grasped for four straight years with just one league loss in that span.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
He is accused of gunning Thompson down outside a Midtown hotel, setting off a manhunt spanning several states.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gunning
Verb
-
Adebayo finished Tuesday’s loss with just seven points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field, 1-of-7 shooting on threes and 2-of-2 shooting from the foul line, nine rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
He is accused of shooting Afghan man Dad Mohammad three times in the head in an Uruzgan province wheat field in 2012.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As a result, there is a need to build geothermal plants in non-seismic, nonvolcanic areas of the world for drilling and reaching deeper geothermal resources.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The price surge also has had political ramifications for oil production in California, with Trump invoking a Cold War-era law to force the controversial resumption of offshore drilling in the Golden State, citing the need to bolster domestic oil production for national security purposes.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Bronx natives say popping up in the bodega was the natural choice.—
Jessi Roti,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Bodnar said popping noises lasted for about 90 seconds.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gunning. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
