Definition

1. Adjective:

   • At very close range: Describing a shot fired from a gun at a target so close that it requires little or no elevation of the barrel for the projectile to hit.
   • Direct and blunt in manner: Characterized by a manner of speaking or acting that is straightforward, without subtlety, evasion, or hesitation.

2. Adverb:

   • In a direct, blunt manner: Speaking or acting in a way that is straightforward and unequivocal, without any attempt to soften the message.
   • From a very close range: Firing a weapon at a target from a very short distance.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The victim was killed by a point-blank gunshot to the head.
  • She made a point-blank refusal to participate in the scheme.
• Adverb:
  • I asked him point-blank if he had taken the money.
  • The officer fired point-blank at the assailant.

Advanced Usage

• "point-blank range": A distance so short that a weapon can be aimed directly at its target without adjusting for bullet drop.
  • The hostage was executed at point-blank range.
• "a point-blank question": A question that is asked directly and bluntly, expecting a straightforward answer.
  • The journalist's point-blank question left the politician flustered.

Variants and Related Words

• Blunt (adj): Direct and uncompromising in speech, sometimes to the point of rudeness.
• Forthright (adj): Direct and outspoken; straightforward.
• Candid (adj): Truthful and straightforward; frank.
• Plainspoken (adj): Speaking in a simple, direct manner.

Synonyms

• Directly
• Bluntly
• Flatly (as in "refused flatly")
• Straightforwardly
• Unreservedly

Related Phrases

• To refuse point-blank: To reject something in an absolute, direct, and unequivocal manner.
  • He refused point-blank to apologize.
• To tell someone point-blank: To inform someone of something in a very direct and unambiguous way.
  • She told him point-blank that his work was unacceptable.

Related Idioms

• Straight from the shoulder: (Idiom) Speaking in a direct, honest, and forceful way. This idiom shares the sense of blunt directness with "point-blank."
  • His criticism was always straight from the shoulder.

Adjective

1. close enough to go straight to the target
   • point-blank range
   • a point-blank shot
2. characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
   • blunt talking and straight shooting
   • a blunt New England farmer
   • I gave them my candid opinion
   • forthright criticism
   • a forthright approach to the problem
   • tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank
   • it is possible to be outspoken without being rude
   • plainspoken and to the point
   • a point-blank accusation

Adverb

1. in a direct and unequivocal manner
   • I asked him point-blank whether he wanted the job