derringer

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of derringer One hundred and fifty-nine years ago, a 26-year-old white supremacist and Confederate sympathizer named John Wilkes Booth pointed a .44 caliber derringer pistol at the back of Abraham Lincoln’s head and squeezed the trigger. Brian Matthew Jordan, National Review, 14 Apr. 2024 This victim’s vision seems weird and fraudulent when Priscilla casually color-coordinates derringer pistols with designer dresses. Armond White, National Review, 3 Nov. 2023 As on the frontier, when predators never knew which woman might have a derringer in her petticoat, no one today knows when they will be recorded breaking the law. Sebastian Junger, National Review, 13 July 2023 In 1976, after wrecking his Rolls-Royce in a drunk-driving accident, he was arrested, intoxicated, with a loaded derringer on the grounds of Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate. Chris Morris, Variety, 28 Oct. 2022 Police found a silver derringer-style gun in his backpack at the time of his arrest. oregonlive, 21 June 2022 There's also a replica of the derringer pistol John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln. Ariana Garcia, Chron, 13 May 2022 Wagrowski also testified that police found two guns -- a .22-caliber Kel-tec and a small derringer -- at the Crumbley home, aside from the one allegedly used in the shooting. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2022 Police arrested a Sandusky man, 29, who was carrying a Ruger .45 caliber pistol with three magazines containing 22 rounds, along with a loaded High Standard derringer. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 23 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derringer
Noun
  • Police also allegedly found an additional Glock pistol stolen out of Southington, a revolver and two high-capacity magazines, according to police.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Some went to a gun store in town and bought all the revolvers in stock, in preparation for another attack.
    Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Richie hands Harry a pistol, but the fixer gives it back.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • After the shooting, police recovered an AR-15 style rifle – in addition to the pistol and a shotgun found at the scene – inside the car Phoenix Ikner drove to campus, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the ongoing investigation.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Rather than simply sourcing the best handgun commercially available, the army used the defense procurement system, which begins with determining requirements rather than evaluating what is currently on the market, adding years to the process.
    MICHAEL BROWN, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • When Garza went inside the store and took at least one lighter from the counter, the clerk came outside armed with a handgun to confront Garza, who crouched by the puddle of kerosene and either threatened to light it or attempted to light it, Hodges said.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Richard’s odds are lousier than Reacher’s were when Beck forced Reacher to play because this revolver is a five-shot model instead of a six-shooter.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The back page of the report featured the cartoon character Yosemite Sam holding a six-shooter in each hand.
    Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, despite the sidearms and tactical gear, Dunn and his agents are practically Canadian in their politeness.
    Jason McGahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The hunter and his friend used sidearms to fire shots at the animal, which stopped the attack from progressing and ultimately killed the bear.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • Many aspects of American life—for instance, the view held by many Americans that freedom and the right to bear firearms are inextricable—do not resonate outside the United States.
    RANA MITTER, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Johnson also spoke about the importance of properly securing firearms and using gun locks.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Multiple instances of gun violence occur outside of New York City Public Schools, often involving students and school safety staff.
    Savanah Jackson, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Another recording, from a nearby security camera apparently without sound, appeared to show Lauren chambering a round and raising the gun, followed by police bullets kicking up dirt near her feet a moment after.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Derringer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derringer. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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