tommy gun 1 of 2

noun

Definition of tommy gunnext
as in machine gun

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tommy-gun

2 of 2

verb

as in to machine-gun

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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 tommy gun
Noun
Gunfire disrupts the silence as Raya emerges through smoke, armed with a tommy gun. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026 Gauging from the trailer, this grisly period piece appears to be set in the South with Jordan starring in a dual role as a pair of twins, at least one of whom gets to spray bullets with a retro tommy gun. — Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025 The image of a mask-wearing authoritarian pointing a tommy gun at first looks like irresistible kitsch but now seems disturbingly accurate for the COVID apocalypse. — Armond White, National Review, 20 Aug. 2021
Verb
His tommy-gun dialogue, much of it laced with withering invective and punctuated with profanity, started a shift in the language of both theater and movies in this country. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tommy gun
  1. machine gun
  2. machine-gun
  3. submachine gun
  4. machine pistol
  5. assault rifle
  6. assault weapon
Noun
  • Stevenson was previously convicted in Miami-Dade County in July for possession of a short-barrel shotgun, rifle or machine gun.
    — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Federal agents raided a Miami Gardens home this week and found a machine gun-making factory, along with homemade, automatic weapons and devices used to switch semiautomatic weapons to fully-automatic firearms, according to a criminal complaint.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of machine gun
Verb
  • The band blasted into a machine-gun pace, waking the entire crowd.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And the Israeli army remains a few miles south, its presence marked by the occasional plume of smoke where its artillery hits, and the rip of machine-gun fire.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
Definition of machine-gun
Noun
  • On the roof, a three-year-old boy from Chile plays with a toy submachine gun, pointing it at anyone who comes within range.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Police learned Pyles owns a handgun and a submachine gun, according to charging documents.
    — Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Definition of submachine gun
Noun
  • One casing is a 9mm caliber, likely a pistol, or a machine pistol or a submachine gun, Weir said.
    — Mohammad Al Sawalhi, CNN, 26 June 2024
  • Deputies also allegedly found a MAC-10 machine pistol and a 9 mm handgun under the passenger seat.
    — Jason Green, The Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2019
Definition of machine pistol
Noun
  • Colin Gray, the father who gifted his teen son the assault rifle used in the deadly mass shooting at Georgia’s Apalachee High School, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
    — Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 31 July 2026
  • Colin Gray, 55, admitted to providing the assault rifle used by his then-14-year-old son in the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, which killed two students and two teachers.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of assault rifle
Noun
  • Valdez was booked on suspicion of brandishing a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of an assault weapon and possession of a suppressor.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Sheriff’s officials said he previously had been arrested on suspicion of possessing an assault weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of assault weapon

Browse Nearby Words

tomfoolery
tommy gun
tommy-gun
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Cite this Entry

“Tommy gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tommy%20gun. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tommy gun

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