gunman

noun

gun·​man ˈgən-mən How to pronounce gunman (audio)
Synonyms of gunmannext
1
: a man armed with a gun
especially : a professional killer
2
: a man noted for speed or skill in handling a gun

Examples of gunman in a Sentence

They were shot by an unknown gunman.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Days after what police say was a hate-motivated shooting outside a gay bar in Tucson, Arizona, a fuller picture of the gunman is coming to light. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026 Gangs continue to hold dozens of residents seized during a recent attack on the mountainous community of Kenscoff, where gunmen shot people to death and burned others alive in their homes. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 Investigators are not sure whether the gunman was deliberately targeting any of the victims, said Evans. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Motive aside, closing Wallace’s murder case hinges on positively identifying the gunman responsible for pulling the trigger, as well as evidence to support it. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunman

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunman was in 1590

Browse Nearby Words

gunmaker
gunman
gunmetal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunman. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gunman

noun
gun·​man -mən How to pronounce gunman (audio)
: a person armed with a gun
especially : an armed criminal

More from Merriam-Webster on gunman

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gunman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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