gunslinger
Western pistol expert
A gunslinger is someone skilled and quick with a handgun, especially in the context of the American Old West.
The term evokes frontier outlaws, lawmen, and duels: The gunslinger pushed through the saloon doors.
Figuratively, a gunslinger is someone bold and aggressive in their field—a corporate gunslinger, a legal gunslinger—suggesting someone who shoots first and asks questions later.
Decisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- shootoutArmed confrontation or tiebreaker
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
- gunfightArmed combat with firearms
holster · pistol · six-shooter · challenger · opponent · antagonist · rivalry · combatant
Mounted cattle herder
- saloonDrinking establishment, often frontier
- sheriffCounty's chief officer
- posseArmed group pursuing fugitives
- ranchLivestock-raising estate
cattle · spurs · saddle · mustang · bandana · Winchester · holster · lasso
Armed roadside thief
- desperadoBold, reckless outlaw
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- robberOne who steals by force
- highwaymanMounted thief targeting travelers
rustler · brigand · criminal · bounty · wanted · notorious · renegade · gang
showdown
Decisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- shootoutArmed confrontation or tiebreaker
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
gunfight · holster · pistol · six-shooter · challenger · opponent · antagonist · rivalry · combatant · marksman
cowboy
Mounted cattle herder
- saloonDrinking establishment, often frontier
- sheriffCounty's chief officer
- posseArmed group pursuing fugitives
ranch · cattle · spurs · saddle · mustang · bandana · Winchester · holster · lasso · chaps
bandit
Armed roadside thief
highwayman · rustler · brigand · criminal · bounty · wanted · notorious · renegade · gang · hideout
pioneer
Early explorer or settler
prairie · goldrush · territory · expansion · trailblazer · prospector · buffalo · trapper · plains · wilderness
sharpshooter
Expert precision shooter
accuracy · target · bullseye · rifleman · sniper · trigger · sight · range · steady · skilled
- Old Westcowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, sheriff, sheriffs
- Westernscowboys, western, outlaws, sheriffs, western novels
- Wild Westcowboy, howdy, sheriff, giddyup, lawmen
- character classeswarrior, mage, rogue, cleric, paladin
- combatantssoldier, warrior, fighter, swordsman, spearman
- fictional roleswizard, detective, pirate, spy, superhero
gunslingerlawman
Enforcement officer
sheriff · marshal · deputy · peace officer · Texas Ranger
gunslingerpacifist
Anti-violence believer
peacemaker · noncombatant · mediator · coward · conscientious objector
gunslingersettler
One who colonizes territory
homesteader · farmer · rancher · schoolmarm · preacher