guns 1 of 2

Definition of gunsnext
plural of gun
as in weapons
large firearms (as cannons or rockets) the field commander called for the big guns to be deployed for the full-scale assault

Synonyms & Similar Words

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guns

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of gun

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 guns
Noun
The following month, a warrant led to the seizure of guns, ammunition, cash, machinery, counterfeit drugs and raw materials. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026 Investigators found 16 guns including two pistols believed to have been used by a man who fatally shot his wife and their two children, then turned the gun on himself, in a murder-suicide inside the family’s Rancho Cordova home. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Videos show Pretti did not appear to brandish a weapon at the moment he was shot, intensifying scrutiny of law enforcement tactics on the ground and of statements from federal officials discouraging protesters from carrying guns. Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026 Investigators said two guns were used, but only one was recovered. Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026 On the day of Aaron’s murder, Ragan and another man — whom has never been identified — burst into the nail salon with their guns drawn and collected more than $300 in cash and jewelry from customers and employees. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026 As of Wednesday, the two Border Patrol agents who fired guns during Pretti's shooting are on administrative leave. Megan Sauer, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026 What Oklahomans may do, as stated by officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, is that when firing guns, either privately practicing with targets or hunting, users need to ensure bullets do not leave the property and/or harm an individual. Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026 Five or six men carrying guns and tear gas started shooting at us. Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
The military seemingly guns her down during a confrontation with Hopper and Eleven. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Jan. 2026 One dog manages to escape the store, but Noem quickly catches up to it and brutally guns it down. Jack Dunn, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guns
Noun
  • L3Harris’ Red Wolf systems will fill a gap in modern warfare with long-range precision weapons capabilities.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
  • There's also a vital element of resource management that plays a role in every encounter, forcing players to juggle power distribution between shields, weapons, and engines while also managing heat levels within their craft.
    Alan Bradley, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Like, no one shoots a stereo film like James.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • If the minor shoots themselves or someone else, causing serious injuries, penalties can max out at 10 years in prison and a $7,500 fine.
    Jack Springgate, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Nowhere has that been more pronounced than at Rheinmetall, which announced plans for several new artillery plants across Europe last year.
    Gerry Doyle, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Murata was killed by an artillery shell in eastern France.
    Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.
    Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
  • The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.
    Alana Semuels, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Secondary weaponry appears to have comprised at least four machine guns.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Ukraine is short of money and, despite significantly boosting its own arms manufacturing, still needs Western weaponry.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Guns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guns. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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