matchlocks

noun

plural of matchlock
as in muskets

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchlocks
  1. muskets
  2. firearms
  3. pistols
Noun
  • These soldiers formed ranks—in numbers not at all near four thousand—and with bulletless muskets levelled began to march up a service road through the park’s lawns and picnic tables.
    — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • There were about sixty of them aboard the Cuyahoga Packet, and they were armed with swords and muskets.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of muskets
Noun
  • Klęczar said the attacker’s father legally owned more than 10 guns and that the attacker also owned firearms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Chrinos was charged with carrying a rifle outside a home or business, three counts of unlawful transportation of a firearm, three counts of unregistered firearms and three counts of unregistered ammunition, DHS said.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of firearms
Noun
  • That’s a far cry from Iowa and New Hampshire—the traditional starting pistols in the presidential race, where less than 10% were voters of color, per exit polls.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Footage shown on Jordanian state television showed two gunmen armed with what appeared to be pistols approaching the church and opening fire, The Associated Press reported.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pistols
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.

Browse Nearby Words

matchlock
matchlocks
matchup
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Cite this Entry

“Matchlocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchlocks. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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