rifleman

noun

ri·​fle·​man ˈrī-fəl-mən How to pronounce rifleman (audio)
Synonyms of riflemannext
1
: a soldier armed with a rifle
2
: one skilled in shooting with a rifle

Examples of rifleman 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.
Oforah was an infantry rifleman. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026 Those services can include playing taps and providing riflemen. — Jordan Rusche, Twin Cities, 6 Oct. 2025 In Wasulu territory the remains of some of these walls are still standing; they were made with mud, pebbles, and karite oil, and had holes that could be used by riflemen. — Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025 Black riflemen performed so well, in fact, that almost 90% of white non-commissioned officers thought the experiment should continue. — Time, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rifleman

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rifleman was in 1775

Browse Nearby Words

rifle gun
rifleman
rifleman bird
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rifleman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rifleman. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rifleman

noun
ri·​fle·​man ˈrī-fəl-mən How to pronounce rifleman (audio)
1
: a soldier armed with a rifle
2
: a person skilled in shooting with a rifle

More from Merriam-Webster on rifleman

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rifleman

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