gunplay
Shootout between adversaries
Gunplay is the shooting of guns, especially in a confrontation or fight.
The word appears most often in descriptions of action movies, crime scenes, or violent encounters: The film features extended gunplay in the final act.
It treats shooting as spectacle or activity rather than emphasizing its consequences.
Compact one-handed firearm
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- automaticOperating without intervention
- semi-automaticFires once, reloads itself
trigger · barrel · bullet · ammunition · magazine · caliber · holster · recoil
Exchange of gunfire
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
- crossfireGunfire from several angles
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
suppression · warfare · battlefield · military · soldiers · tactical · assault · raid
Armed confrontation or tiebreaker
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
- westernOf the sunset side
noir · thriller · heist · spaghetti · action · stunt · explosion · chase
Degree of correctness
- aimPurpose or direction
- targetObject of pursuit
- marksmanPrecision shooter
- sniperConcealed precision shooter
sharpshooter · range · ballistics · sight · quickdraw · two-handed · hip fire · precision
Theft through intimidation
- heistOrganized large-scale theft
- gangsterCriminal organization member
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
- carjackingViolent vehicle theft
smuggling · drive-by · holdup · armed · felony · racketeering · extortion · kidnapping
Emergency response hormone
- thrillingIntensely exciting
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
- tenseStrained or nervous
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
frenetic · heart-pounding · white-knuckle · fierce · violent · chaotic · brutal · relentless
pistol
Compact one-handed firearm
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- automaticOperating without intervention
semi-automatic · trigger · barrel · bullet · ammunition · magazine · caliber · holster · recoil · muzzle
firefight
Exchange of gunfire
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
- crossfireGunfire from several angles
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
ambush · suppression · warfare · battlefield · military · soldiers · tactical · assault · raid · guerrilla
shootout
Armed confrontation or tiebreaker
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
western · noir · thriller · heist · spaghetti · action · stunt · explosion · chase · spectacle
accuracy
Degree of correctness
sniper · sharpshooter · range · ballistics · sight · quickdraw · two-handed · hip fire · precision · steady
robbery
Theft through intimidation
- heistOrganized large-scale theft
- gangsterCriminal organization member
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
carjacking · smuggling · drive-by · holdup · armed · felony · racketeering · extortion · kidnapping · shootout
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- thrillingIntensely exciting
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
- tenseStrained or nervous
explosive · frenetic · heart-pounding · white-knuckle · fierce · violent · chaotic · brutal · relentless · deadly
- Shootoutspenalty shootout, firefight, duel, showdown, standoff
- battle royalebattle royale, Fortnite, last man standing, winner, solo
- John WooJohn Woo, Hard Boiled, Face/Off, slow motion, slow-motion
gunplayfistfight
Hand-to-hand combat
hand-to-hand combat · fisticuffs · unarmed combat · knife fight · swordplay
gunplaypeace
Freedom from disturbance
nonviolence · diplomacy · pacifism · negotiation · de-escalation
play, gun, gunfire, shotgun, gunman, handgun, gunning, gunshot, gunfight