Definition

Noun 1. The direction or aim of a gun's muzzle: The specific point or line along which a firearm is aimed. 2. A situation of being threatened with a gun: The state of having a gun pointed at one, typically to coerce or intimidate.

Usage

The word "gunpoint" is almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrase "at gunpoint" to describe an action performed while being threatened by someone holding a gun. * It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. * It indicates coercion, threat, or robbery.

Examples

• The bank tellers were forced at gunpoint to hand over the money.
• The hostages were taken at gunpoint and driven to a remote location.
• He confessed to the crime, but only after being interrogated at gunpoint.
• The convenience store was robbed at gunpoint last night.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used with various verbs of coercion, such as:
• While "at gunpoint" is standard, one might occasionally see "under gunpoint" or "on gunpoint," but these are non-standard and generally considered incorrect.

Variants and Related Words

• Point (noun): In this specific compound, it refers to the muzzle or business end of the gun. Separately, "point" has many other meanings (a detail, a location, a purpose).
• Gun (noun): A weapon that fires projectiles. "Gunpoint" is a compound noun derived from this word.

Synonyms

• Under threat of a gun: A more descriptive phrase with the same meaning.
• With a gun to one's head: An idiom that conveys a similar, often more intense, situation of coercion.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• At gunpoint: The primary and almost only idiom using this word. It means under the direct threat of being shot by a firearm that is pointed at the victim.

Noun

1. the gun muzzle's direction
   • he held me up at the point of a gun