gunplay

noun

gun·​play ˈgən-ˌplā How to pronounce gunplay (audio)
: the shooting of small arms with intent to scare or kill

Examples of gunplay in a Sentence

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.
The Metal Gear games have never exactly exceled at either gunplay or fistfights, but the restrictions around fluid action can be frustrating, especially when minute details like first- and third-person shooting have actually been improved. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025 The third-person cover-shooter gunplay, while not revolutionary, is solid and fun. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Whereas the series was once the premier looter-shooter franchise for friends to relish its absurdist gunplay and treasure collecting, the field is now much more crowded with live-service titles like Destiny 2 and a slew of indies taking up space in the series’ void. Jonathan Zavaleta, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025 The gunplay was unusual for the NYPD’s 6th Precinct, which had seen zero shootings this year through June 22 and zero shootings during the same time frame last year. Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for gunplay

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunplay was in 1881

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Cite this Entry

“Gunplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunplay. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

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