gunpoint

American  

[guhn-point] / ˈgʌnˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. the point or aim of a gun.

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idioms

1. at gunpoint, under threat of being shot.

   He carried out the robber's orders at gunpoint.

gunpoint British  

/ ˈɡʌnˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. the muzzle of a gun

2. being under or using the threat of being shot

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Etymology

Origin of gunpoint

First recorded in 1955–60; gun ¹ + point

Example Sentences

A Minneapolis pastor who protested ICE by chanting “We are not afraid” was detained at gunpoint by an agent who reportedly asked him: “Are you afraid now?”

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

At Kenwood High School in Baltimore County, Maryland, a 16-year-old student was handcuffed at gunpoint after an AI-powered security system misidentified a crumpled bag of Doritos as a firearm.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2025

Eight people have been found guilty after US reality TV star Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint of millions of dollars' worth of jewellery in Paris nearly a decade ago.

From BBC • May 23, 2025

Kim Kardashian West was back in the United States on Monday after being held at gunpoint during a robbery overnight in Paris, where she was attending Fashion Week.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

It was as if someone had slipped into the Kremlin in 1950 and held Stalin at gunpoint, leaving the nation, accustomed to obeying a tyrant, utterly rudderless.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann