Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for gunboat

gunboat

[guhn-boht]

noun

  1. a small, armed warship of light draft, used in ports where the water is shallow.

  2. any small ship carrying mounted guns. gun.



gunboat

/ ˈɡʌnˌbəʊt /

noun

  1. a small shallow-draft vessel carrying mounted guns and used by coastal patrols, etc

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunboat1

First recorded in 1770–80; gun 1 + boat
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The secretary of State sidestepped a question about whether the action, which critics denounced as illegal under international law, signaled a return to “gunboat diplomacy” in a region where U.S. interventions have historically stoked resentment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The reaction among our Latin American neighbors to this modern edition of gunboat diplomacy was, to say the least, decidedly negative.

Read more on Salon

One day, driven by curiosity, Asmaa walked to the nearby beach, where she marvelled at the sight of Gazans frolicking in the waves, despite the ominous presence of Israeli gunboats patrolling offshore.

Read more on BBC

And it is the sea from which, Zouahra says, a shell from an Israeli gunboat brought death to her husband.

Read more on BBC

Gaza's fishermen are regularly shot at by Israeli gunboats if they venture farther in the Mediterranean Sea than Israel permits.

Read more on Salon

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


gunagunboat diplomacy