POINT-BLANK Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

point-blank 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of point-blank

as in straight-out

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Dissimilar Words

point-blank

2 of 2

adverb

as in brusquely

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Dissimilar Words

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 point-blank

Adjective

Marczuk had a chance to score in first-half stoppage time, but Crepeau made a point-blank save to keep the deficit at one headed into the break. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 San Jose’s second-half substitute Preston Judd had a pair of chances after coming on at the hour mark, but the first shot was over the crossbar and the second was saved at point-blank range by Marcinkowski. — Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 Over the previous 18 months, two men had been gunned down point-blank at Vietnamese cafes. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 Officers said two people reportedly met at a nearby shopping center, but the suspect at some point exited the truck and shot the victim at point-blank range. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for point-blank

Recent Examples of Synonyms for point-blank

Adjective

When’s the last time everyone straight-out applauded the Dolphins draft?

— Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Are people just straight-out living here under those blue tarps?

— Kristin Dombek, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026

Definition of straight-out

Adverb

Yet, White House officials told me, Biden sometimes brusquely dismissed the views of both men, raising his voice as though berating children.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
In some instances, judges brusquely threw cases out of court after prosecutors walked in with little evidence.

— Brian Rokos, Daily News, 7 May 2026

Definition of brusquely

Adjective

Such direct communication with fans is now taking place on a semi-regular basis.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
What’s in the demo Children of Infinity is a space adventure RPG, just like The Ur-Quan Masters (and its direct spiritual predecessors, Starflight and Starflight 2).

— Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of direct

Adverb

In recent weeks, new cases and deaths have declined in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, but risen sharply in neighboring North Kivu and Haut-Uele, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said at a weekly briefing.

— JEAN-YVES KAMALE, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
The defense's account differs sharply from prosecutors' allegations.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sharply

Adjective

For the first time, Zvyagintsev made a movie outside of Russia, moving Minotaur’s production to Latvia to stand in for a brutally frank portrait of his homeland at the dawn of the Ukraine war.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Despite her designs’ frank sensuality, all the harnesses and black leather, her real kink is Hermès’s craftsmanship.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of frank

Adverb

Season five ended abruptly after a video leaked of Taylor Frankie Paul throwing a stool at her ex Dakota Mortensen and almost hitting her daughter.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
In July 2025, however, Bar K closed abruptly and, one month later, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in federal court.

— Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of abruptly

Adjective

The Amazing Spider-Man and Social Network actor previously got candid about portraying the executive who has helped spearhead the AI revolution.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
In the following photos, Justin is seen snuggling on the couch with his son, in another candid selfie with Hailey, and the post concludes with a photo of a golf club flanked by a bunch of golf balls.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of candid

Adverb

Rose’s relationship with her father, too, is unusual in its unresolved jaggedness, while Sisto’s gruffly on-edge performance points to a deeper well of adult pain in Wes that his daughter cannot yet manage or comprehend.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 June 2026
Chief among the familiar faces is Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the stoic, gruffly professional explosives-disposal expert Major Will Tranter, who shows up at a construction site in the heart of London where an unexploded, 1,000-pound WWII bomb has just been found.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of gruffly

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“Point-blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/point-blank. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of point-blank

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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