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

Videos from that day showed militants gunning down fleeing revelers, shooting the wounded at point-blank range and ambushing those seeking refuge in bomb shelters. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 In one video shared on social media, a teenager was shot in the face with a tear-gas grenade at almost point-blank range by a policeman. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Shortly after dropping his children off at preschool and going to the gym, the Florida State University law professor was sitting in his car in his driveway when he was shot twice in the head at point-blank range. — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 More notable than Druckenmiller’s point-blank admission, however, was the WSJ‘s response cosigning Druckenmiller’s argument. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 26 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

Léo’s tenderly nostalgic reminiscences of past love affairs are slapped down by Emma, who brusquely dismisses his pleasant recollections as mere male projection.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of brusquely

Adjective

The university introduced an aerospace engineering degree this fall, giving students a direct connection to emerging aviation systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
There is no working alternative to Starlink, which has put a massive constellation of low-earth satellites into orbit, and no direct competitor comes close.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of direct

Adverb

When carb intake falls sharply, the liver turns fat into ketones, an alternative fuel for the brain and other tissues that may cause less metabolic stress.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
While agreeing that batteries play a key role in cutting emissions from transport and power generation, the study warns that emissions from producing them could rise sharply if manufacturing expands without cleaner processes.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of sharply

Adjective

Chairman and president Mehmet Koruturk sums up the intent behind Vanguart, especially in a landscape that, to be frank, really does not need another watch company.

— Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2026
Steeped in therapy culture and financial literacy content, young Americans are fluent in boundary-setting and open to frank conversations about money and mental load.

— Grace Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of frank

Adverb

This week Ukraine also reported Elon Musk’s crucial Starlink internet system had been abruptly restricted on its drones, disrupting its military’s operations, with concerns in Kyiv the move was intended to further pressure it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
An international flight scheduled to travel from Italy to Australia was abruptly canceled last week when a bedbug infestation was discovered in the cabin during an earlier flight, and the airline issued an apology for the incident.

— Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of abruptly

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

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pointed

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“Point-blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/point-blank. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of point-blank

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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