: 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.
Our review praised the terrific gunplay, tense matches, and incredible graphics. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 There’s some mildly threatening gunplay from a man at the end of his tether and yet, for me, this particular digression-of-the-week started to lag. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 The gunplay is punchy and satisfying; Jun and their NPC companions are more agile; and the arsenal of both sci-fi weapons and ancient powers (magic in a sci-fi trench coat) gives players a richer selection of tools to neutralize enemies with. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The melee fighting is just as good as the clever gunplay. — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 June 2026 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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