handgun

noun

Definition of handgunnext
as in pistol

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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 Investigators said a homeowner returned to find a man matching the description of the earlier suspect inside his home with the homeowner's handgun. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Detectives quickly determined that Blake’s handgun was not the murder weapon, which turned out to be a Walther P38 9-millimeter pistol that had been dumped in the big commercial trash bin. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 In a separate incident last week, an officer fired one shot at a woman who was accused of shooting a handgun at trees in a far south Fort Worth neighborhood on Belshire Court. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026 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 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 teen stabbed a police officer with a knife and stole his weapon -- a 9mm pistol -- just before the incident, then used it to carry out the attack.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • They were reportedly found to contain six handguns, Glock slides, trigger assemblies, sight assemblies, rifle magazines, pistol magazines, AM15 rifle parts, a suppressor kit, ammunition and other firearm parts, officials said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pistol
Noun
  • One of those shell casings was entered into the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which compares shell casings and other evidence and connects them to shootings involving the same firearm.
    — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Davis and his 13-year-old friend were both charged with conspiracy to commit a robbery with a firearm.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 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
  • Another man identified as Onda George, of Ocoee, had followed the mayor in a car and ran up, waving a gun, as the shot was fired.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The walls are decorated with lamps and replica guns, and in future the group plans to add a projector and an air-conditioning unit.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on handgun

Nglish: Translation of handgun for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about handgun

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