Word
gunpoint
Phoneticsgun·point, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡənˌpɔɪnt/
UK/ɡˈʌnpɔɪnt/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the situation where someone is being threatened with a gun. You usually hear this when a person is forced to do something while a weapon is pointed at them.
n. the state of being threatened by a firearm held in close proximity. Typically occurs within prepositional phrases to describe the conditions of a crime or forced action.
Examples
“The thief robbed the store at gunpoint.”
“The witness described how the driver was forced out of the car at gunpoint in broad daylight.”
“Historians noted that the treaty was signed at gunpoint, rendering the subsequent territorial concessions legally and morally questionable in the eyes of the international community.”
Examples
simple
“The thief robbed the store at gunpoint.”
contextual
“The witness described how the driver was forced out of the car at gunpoint in broad daylight.”
complex
“Historians noted that the treaty was signed at gunpoint, rendering the subsequent territorial concessions legally and morally questionable in the eyes of the international community.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrase 'at gunpoint'.
Real-World Examples
“He and his father were at a store when two robbers held them at gunpoint.” Etymology
From gun + point.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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