melee weapon

Close-combat fighting tool

A melee weapon is any weapon designed for close combat, wielded by hand to strike an opponent directly rather than launching a projectile.

Swords, axes, clubs, and knives are classic examples.

The term appears frequently in gaming contexts, where players choose between melee weapons and ranged options like bows or guns.

I prefer a melee weapon for stealth kills.

The melee distinguishes hand-to-hand fighting from combat at a distance.

Related
  • swordHilted fighting blade
  • axeBladed tool for chopping
  • maceBludgeon with flanged head
  • blunt forceImpact without piercing
  • daggerShort pointed stabbing blade

club · spear · hammer · blade · sharp edge · brawl · combat · slash · strike · parry · thrust · hilt · steel · cleave · pommel · quarterstaff · flail · cudgel

Categories
Opposites
combat range

melee weaponranged weapon

Armament striking from distance

firearm · projectile weapon · gun · crossbow · rifle

physicality of combat

melee weaponchemical weapon

Toxic agent for warfare

biological weapon · psychological warfare · electronic warfare · drone · guided missile

physicality of harm

melee weaponcyberweapon

Malicious code for attacks

psychological warfare · chemical weapon · biological weapon · poison · information warfare

Family

melee, melees, weapon, weapons, weaponry, weaponize, weaponized, weaponizing, weaponization

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Rated PG