as in gun
a person who shoots at another person from a hidden place
The soldiers were attacked by a sniper.
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 sniper
While the Ducks now have three 50-plus-point scorers with Carlsson, Gauthier and Sennecke, Montreal boasts three players who have already crossed the 60-point threshold in captain Nick Suzuki, sniper Cole Caufield and electrifying defenseman Lane Hutson.
—
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Suzuki is having a Selke-caliber campaign, and Caufield, on pace for 46 goals, is one of the best snipers in the sport.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatulah Khowarazmi said that Afghan forces had launched counterattacks with snipers across the border from Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost and Kandahar provinces overnight.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
The night passed with no sign of the snipers who had sown terror from rooftops in January, or the heavy machine guns firing from the bed of pickup trucks.
—Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 1 Mar. 2026
Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatulah Khowarazmi said Afghan forces had launched counterattacks with snipers across the border from Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost and Kandahar provinces overnight.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
One of the images – which was flagged during a CNN check as being potentially AI-manipulated – showed the girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and in her early teens, firing a sniper rifle.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
Jones, 50, is a 24-year department veteran and has held numerous positions including corrections, patrol division, crime scene investigation, SWAT operator, SWAT sniper and member of the crisis negotiation team.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The Cuban government’s accusations that several Floridians attempted to invade the island Wednesday on a speedboat carrying Molotov cocktails and sniper rifles has set off shockwaves across the Sunshine State.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Suzuki is having a Selke-caliber campaign, and Caufield, on pace for 46 goals, is one of the best snipers in the sport.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatulah Khowarazmi said that Afghan forces had launched counterattacks with snipers across the border from Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost and Kandahar provinces overnight.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
The night passed with no sign of the snipers who had sown terror from rooftops in January, or the heavy machine guns firing from the bed of pickup trucks.
—Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 1 Mar. 2026
Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatulah Khowarazmi said Afghan forces had launched counterattacks with snipers across the border from Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost and Kandahar provinces overnight.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
One of the images – which was flagged during a CNN check as being potentially AI-manipulated – showed the girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and in her early teens, firing a sniper rifle.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
Jones, 50, is a 24-year department veteran and has held numerous positions including corrections, patrol division, crime scene investigation, SWAT operator, SWAT sniper and member of the crisis negotiation team.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
The Cuban government’s accusations that several Floridians attempted to invade the island Wednesday on a speedboat carrying Molotov cocktails and sniper rifles has set off shockwaves across the Sunshine State.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniper
Noun
-
The prosecution displayed dozens of items of evidence in front of the jury, including guns that were found during home searches and an antifa flag.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The man at the gun shop looked at Martinez, a small woman with round eyes and rosy cheeks, and recommended the pistol, which fit nicely in her hands.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Oforah was an infantry rifleman.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The Marine Corps said Rubio was trained as an infantry rifleman and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Robert Edwin Kline was a 22-year-old gunner's mate second class when he was killed on the Arizona.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Netherlands Ministry of Defense Last year, Norway's Princess Ingrid Alexandria finished 15-months of service as a gunner in an engineering battalion.—
Frank Andrews,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This former Duke sharpshooter wouldn’t expect anything less from another Blue Devils star.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
And also, dogs would be used to flush out deer hiding in bushes or in steep terrain, to expose them to waiting sharpshooters.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sniper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniper. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
