gunrunner

1 of 2

noun (1)

gun·​run·​ner ˈgən-ˌrə-nər How to pronounce gunrunner (audio)
Synonyms of gunrunnernext
: one that traffics in contraband arms and ammunition
gunrunning noun

gunrunning

2 of 2

noun (2)

: contraband traffic in arms and ammunition especially when involving international relations or violation of customs laws

Examples of gunrunner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The notion that Roper, as a young man, could have been a gunrunner in Colombia felt right to me. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026 There are brash foreign fighters and humble food drivers and furtive gunrunners and ancient babushkas knitting camouflage ghillie suits in community gyms. Peter Rubin, Longreads, 23 Feb. 2023 Cartels and guerrillas in South America are similarly dependent on border-crossing drug smugglers and gunrunners for the tools of their trade. Paul J. Angelo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunrunner was in 1878

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunrunner. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on gunrunner

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster