point-blank

adjective

ˈpȯint-ˈblaŋk 

1

a

: marked by no appreciable drop below initial horizontal line of flight

b

: so close to a target that a missile fired will travel in a straight line to the mark

2

: direct, blunt

a point-blank refusal

point-blank adverb

Examples of point-blank in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adames picked up a water cooler and deployed its contents at point-blank range. —Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

John Pulskamp made a diving stop on a penalty kick by Cuypers, but Zinckernagel put away the rebound from point-blank range. —ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026

Moore drew his handgun and shot Garlington multiple times at point-blank range while struggling with him. —Austen Erblat, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

In footage posted to X by Mayor Eric Adams on Friday, dozens of bystanders can be seen filming as Jaden is savagely beaten, when one of his attackers draws a firearm and shoots him at point-blank range. —Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for point-blank

• gangplank
• nonbank
• outflank
• sandbank
• antitank
• interbank
• mountebank
• riverbank
• banc
• bank
• blank
• clank

Kids Definition

point-blank

adjective

ˈpȯint-ˈblaŋk

1

: aimed at a target from a very short distance away

fired from point-blank range

2

: blunt entry 1 sense 3, direct

a point-blank refusal

point-blank adverb