at gunpoint

Barrel aimed directly

At gunpoint describes a situation where someone is threatened with a firearm, typically to compel compliance: He was robbed at gunpoint, She was forced into the car at gunpoint.

The phrase emphasizes coercion through immediate threat of deadly violence.

Figuratively, it can describe any situation of extreme pressure: They signed the contract practically at gunpoint.

crime

robbery

Theft through intimidation

holdupTheft by threat
muggingRobbery with violence
carjackingViolent vehicle theft

kidnapping · hijacking · heist · armed robbery · stickup · extortion · ransom · abduction · bank job · home invasion

threat

menace

Source of potential harm

dangerExposure to harm
perilSerious threat of harm
jeopardyRisk of harm

terror · fear · dread · panic · alarm · life-threatening · violence · aggression · hostility · standoff

coercion

forced

Made to occur unwillingly

compelledMade to act
intimidatedMade fearful by threat
strong-armedCoerced through force

overpowered · constrained · unwilling · involuntary · pressured · dominated · subjugated · bulldozed · browbeaten · dragooned

Opposites

threat level

at gunpointpeacefully

In tranquil fashion

amicably · gently · cordially · with open arms · securely

volition/coercion

at gunpointvoluntarily

Without external compulsion

willingly · of one's own free will · by choice · freely · of one's own accord

Family

gun, pointed, guns, points, pointer, pointing, pointers, point, gunning

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13