handgun

noun

Definition of handgunnext
as in pistol

Related 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 handgun An altercation occurred, and Hasan produced a handgun and fired shots into a car both victims were sitting in. — Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 15 July 2026 The officers also recovered a gun, later determined to be a KelTec P11 9MM handgun, from under a grill lid near the group. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 15 July 2026 Officers also found a handgun, a Glock 22, on the front passenger floorboard. — Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026 Officers noticed a handgun in Royster’s lap and promptly ordered him to put his hands up before officers surrounded the vehicle. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for handgun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handgun
  1. pistol
  2. firearm
  3. revolver
  4. gun
  5. derringer
  6. sidearm
Noun
  • The resident told deputies Henrichsen had a visible pistol in his pocket.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
  • Foster-Todd still had his pistol in his left hand, held against his chest.
    — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 22 July 2026
Definition of pistol
Noun
  • The foundations course is $499 and will include six hours of training covering the basics of the handgun, safety, practice with the simulator and live firearm training at a local shooting range.
    — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • He was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of firearm
Noun
  • Authorities executed a search warrant at Shaw’s apartment and recovered a revolver from his bedroom, according to the release.
    — Niya Doyle, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever handed his revolver to airport police upon arrival.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of revolver
Noun
  • Police located a third gun and an undisclosed amount of cash inside of a bag in a closet, BPD said.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 July 2026
  • To our community, join us in taking action against gun violence and helping the victims and those affected by gun violence to heal.
    — Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of gun
Noun
  • This mysterious derringer pistol has sparked more intrigue than any of his other dangerous finds because people want to know the back story.
    — Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • This victim’s vision seems weird and fraudulent when Priscilla casually color-coordinates derringer pistols with designer dresses.
    — Armond White, National Review, 3 Nov. 2023
Definition of derringer
Noun
  • The Indians scored their would-be final goal in the third on a shot from Emery Simmons on a sidearm shot past Bishops’ midfielder Izzy Grundig.
    — Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026
  • Perhaps Edwards will have his sidearm in tow for next year’s playoff run.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026
Definition of sidearm

Browse Nearby Words

handgrips
handgun
handguns
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handgun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handgun. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on handgun

Nglish: Translation of handgun for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about handgun

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of parochial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All