point-blank

[ point-blangk ]
See synonyms for point-blank on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. aimed or fired straight at the mark especially from close range; direct.

  2. straightforward, plain, or explicit: a point-blank denial.

adverb
  1. with a direct aim; directly; straight.

  2. bluntly; frankly: She told him point-blank that he was not welcome.

Origin of point-blank

1
First recorded in 1565–75

Words Nearby point-blank

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use point-blank in a sentence

  • Sir Edward Bruce is said to have decided the question by a point-blank refusal to retire.

    King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
  • Firing at point-blank range, struggling bayonet against bayonet, the small French force worked its way towards the defile.

    Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison
  • She opened her eyes in such astonishment that he added point blank: No; I dont like the thought—just jealousy, thats all.

    The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
  • Algernon stood for a second, staring point-blank at her, unable to move or to speak.

    A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) | Frances Eleanor Trollope
  • When Newton returned on deck, he found that the corvette had gradually edged down until nearly within point-blank range.

    Newton Forster | Captain Frederick Marryat

British Dictionary definitions for point-blank

point-blank

adjective
    • aimed or fired at a target so close that it is unnecessary to make allowance for the drop in the course of the projectile

    • permitting such aim or fire without loss of accuracy: at point-blank range

  1. plain or blunt: a point-blank question

adverb
  1. directly or straight

  2. plainly or bluntly

Origin of point-blank

1
C16: from point + blank (in the sense: centre spot of an archery target)

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