Gunpoint: meaning, definitions and examples
🔫
gunpoint
[ ˈɡʌnˌpɔɪnt ]
threatening situation
Gunpoint refers to the condition in which someone is being threatened with a firearm. This term is commonly used in the context of robbery or hostage situations. Being at gunpoint implies an extreme level of danger, where the person threatened must comply with the demands of the individual wielding the gun to avoid harm. It represents a clear power imbalance and often leads to a feeling of helplessness for the victim. The term encapsulates the intensity and urgency of the threat posed by a firearm.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He was forced to hand over his wallet at gunpoint.
- The robber demanded the money at gunpoint.
- She felt terrified, standing at gunpoint during the robbery.
Translations
Translations of the word "gunpoint" in other languages:
🇵🇹 ponto de armas
🇮🇳 हथियार का निशाना
🇩🇪 auf die Waffe gerichtet
🇮🇩 di titik senjata
🇺🇦 під дулом пістолета
🇵🇱 na muszce
🇯🇵 銃口で
🇫🇷 sous la menace d'une arme
🇪🇸 a punta de pistola
🇹🇷 silahın ucunda
🇰🇷 총구에서
🇸🇦 تحت تهديد السلاح
🇨🇿 na mušku
🇸🇰 na muške
🇨🇳 在枪口下
🇸🇮 pod ceno orožja
🇮🇸 við byssu
🇰🇿 қару ұстаған жерде
🇬🇪 იარაღის ქვეშ
🇦🇿 silahın hədəfində
🇲🇽 a punta de pistola
Etymology
The term 'gunpoint' originated in the early 20th century as a compound word combining 'gun,' a weapon that propels projectiles, and 'point,' which in this context refers to the act of directing or aiming something at a target. The first known usage of 'gunpoint' can be traced back to descriptions of violent crimes and confrontations where firearms were involved. As the prevalence of guns increased in society, so did the use of the term to describe situations where individuals are coerced or threatened at the level of a firearm. Over the decades, 'gunpoint' has gained notoriety in popular culture, particularly in crime novels and films, reinforcing its association with high-stakes confrontations. The phrase emphasizes not only the physical danger posed by the weapon but also the psychological impact on victims, who face threats to their safety and autonomy.