point-blank 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of point-blanknext
as in straight-out

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Dissimilar Words

point-blank

2 of 2

adverb

as in brusquely

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Dissimilar Words

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 point-blank
Adjective
Shortly after dropping his children off at preschool and going to the gym, the Florida State University law professor was sitting in his car in his driveway when he was shot twice in the head at point-blank range. — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 More notable than Druckenmiller’s point-blank admission, however, was the WSJ‘s response cosigning Druckenmiller’s argument. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026 Marczuk had a chance to score in first-half stoppage time, but Crepeau made a point-blank save to keep the deficit at one headed into the break. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 San Jose’s second-half substitute Preston Judd had a pair of chances after coming on at the hour mark, but the first shot was over the crossbar and the second was saved at point-blank range by Marcinkowski. — Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for point-blank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for point-blank
  1. straight-out
  2. brusquely
  3. direct
  4. sharply
  5. frank
  6. abruptly
  7. candid
  8. gruffly
Adjective
  • When’s the last time everyone straight-out applauded the Dolphins draft?
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Are people just straight-out living here under those blue tarps?
    — Kristin Dombek, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of straight-out
Adverb
  • Léo’s tenderly nostalgic reminiscences of past love affairs are slapped down by Emma, who brusquely dismisses his pleasant recollections as mere male projection.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Yet, White House officials told me, Biden sometimes brusquely dismissed the views of both men, raising his voice as though berating children.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of brusquely
Adjective
  • Follert credits the monthly check-ins and the direct impact employees can have in shaping the company culture for its ranking in the top 10.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • And over the years, Jaguar’s boffins have actually learned a lot about how to design, build, and operate electric powertrains that are both powerful and efficient, and that work has direct benefits to road-going EVs.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of direct
Adverb
  • The kind and volume of content being sought are being defined more sharply.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The share of parents who believe their children share their commitment to giving back fell even more sharply to 65% from 76%.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sharply
Adjective
  • Angry but empathetic, frank in its darkness but refusing to wallow in it, Tip Toe is a cry of frustration that cuts right to the heart.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Glimcher was unusually frank at the time about the thinking behind the changes.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of frank
Adverb
  • The bombers were moved abruptly in response to multiple streams of intelligence warnings, including a threat that the aircraft could be hit in a swarm drone attack similar to one Ukraine launched against Russia in June 2025.
    — Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Cookie lovers searching the streets of New York City for a certain particularly gooey, thick and chewy dessert were left with crumbs this weekend after a local cookie chain abruptly shut its doors.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of abruptly
Adjective
  • The outstanding artwork of the exhibition, Goldin’s slideshow, largely devoted to candid portraits of friends, many shot in her Bowery loft, remains stunningly raw.
    — J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier this week, the artist posted a classic photo dump filled with images of her pitbull Shark (a former Dogue cover star), a pumpkin patch, and other candid snapshots from her life recently.
    — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of candid
Adverb
  • Rose’s relationship with her father, too, is unusual in its unresolved jaggedness, while Sisto’s gruffly on-edge performance points to a deeper well of adult pain in Wes that his daughter cannot yet manage or comprehend.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 June 2026
  • Chief among the familiar faces is Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the stoic, gruffly professional explosives-disposal expert Major Will Tranter, who shows up at a construction site in the heart of London where an unexploded, 1,000-pound WWII bomb has just been found.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of gruffly

Browse Nearby Words

point
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pointed
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Cite this Entry

“Point-blank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/point-blank. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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