derringer

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 derringer One hundred and fifty-nine years ago, a 26-year-old white supremacist and Confederate sympathizer named John Wilkes Booth pointed a .44 caliber derringer pistol at the back of Abraham Lincoln’s head and squeezed the trigger. Brian Matthew Jordan, National Review, 14 Apr. 2024 This victim’s vision seems weird and fraudulent when Priscilla casually color-coordinates derringer pistols with designer dresses. Armond White, National Review, 3 Nov. 2023 As on the frontier, when predators never knew which woman might have a derringer in her petticoat, no one today knows when they will be recorded breaking the law. Sebastian Junger, National Review, 13 July 2023 In 1976, after wrecking his Rolls-Royce in a drunk-driving accident, he was arrested, intoxicated, with a loaded derringer on the grounds of Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate. Chris Morris, Variety, 28 Oct. 2022 Police found a silver derringer-style gun in his backpack at the time of his arrest. oregonlive, 21 June 2022 There's also a replica of the derringer pistol John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln. Ariana Garcia, Chron, 13 May 2022 Wagrowski also testified that police found two guns -- a .22-caliber Kel-tec and a small derringer -- at the Crumbley home, aside from the one allegedly used in the shooting. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2022 Police arrested a Sandusky man, 29, who was carrying a Ruger .45 caliber pistol with three magazines containing 22 rounds, along with a loaded High Standard derringer. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 23 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derringer
Noun
  • He’d been shot in the face with a revolver that left no shell casings.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • McCabe handed Richard a revolver with a single bullet and made the kid play several rounds of Russian Roulette, all as his dad helplessly watched, with Paulie’s gun aimed his own head.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Once Mark and Drummond descend down the elevator into the testing floor, the innie abruptly transforms into his outie, pulling the trigger on a bolt pistol originally intended for one of Lumon’s goats.
    Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Police recovered a Taurus Millenium G2 9mm pistol near the spot where Grant fell, the report says.
    Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • As the crash happened, the 11-year-old was in the passenger seat waving a handgun.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The unidentified man was reported as experiencing a mental health crisis and brandishing a handgun outside the building.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Richard’s odds are lousier than Reacher’s were when Beck forced Reacher to play because this revolver is a five-shot model instead of a six-shooter.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The back page of the report featured the cartoon character Yosemite Sam holding a six-shooter in each hand.
    Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, despite the sidearms and tactical gear, Dunn and his agents are practically Canadian in their politeness.
    Jason McGahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The hunter and his friend used sidearms to fire shots at the animal, which stopped the attack from progressing and ultimately killed the bear.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • Brownlee was arrested shortly after the May 21 robbery and police seized items used in the robberies and two firearms, including the one Brownlee purchased to rob the jewelry store, officials said.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Colorado legislature passes gun control bill requiring training before purchase for certain firearms The appearance of impropriety — of greased palms — was part of the motivation for the initial ban on lobbyist giving, said Doug Friednash, a former legislator who introduced the policy back in 1993.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Those communications are of course the smokin’ gun of sorts in this whole shebang.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025
  • And to this day, Cecil has the gun Schwartz used to murder Dr. Cook.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Derringer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derringer. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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