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Synonyms

gunslinger

American  
[guhn-sling-er] / ˈgʌnˌslɪŋ ər /

noun

  1. Informal. gunfighter.

  2. Slang. a person who acts in an aggressive and decisive manner, especially in business or politics, as an investor who takes large risks in seeking large, quick gains.


gunslinger British  
/ ˈɡʌnˌslɪŋə /

noun

  1. slang a gunfighter or gunman, esp in the Old West

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of gunslinger

First recorded in 1950–55; gun 1 + sling 1 + -er 1


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.

See Examples For:

Oil boss Scott Sheffield has a new job: activist gunslinger.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026

But like a retired gunslinger in a western movie, circumstances will not let him rest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2025

Set in 1872, Forsaken, focuses on embittered gunslinger John Henry Clayton's return to his hometown and his attempts to build bridges with his estranged father.

From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2024

But sometimes that confidence — that ol’ gunslinger bravado — gets him in trouble.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 23, 2023

At first, I thought Caesar was a gunslinger.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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