pistol-whip

verb

pis·​tol-whip
pistol-whipped; pistol-whipping; pistol-whips

transitive verb

: to beat with a pistol

Examples of pistol-whip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Prosecutors allege Walker was in communication with the juveniles via cell phone during the incident that ended with Jackson being pistol-whipped and shot three times in the back with a Beretta 9mm semiautomatic pistol. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 Donning masks and pistols, the suspects kicked in the door of the outside residence, pistol-whipped and bound the man living there before robbing him of cash and other items, the documents say. Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 The product was a front-page article on March 17, 2008, that traced personal animosity between Tupac and the rap artist known as Biggie Smalls, or Notorious B.I.G., to a 1994 ambush at a New York recording studio at which Tupac had been robbed and pistol-whipped. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024 The soldiers from the Third Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, marched into the city after police pistol-whipped and shot at a Black corporal Charles Baltimore, resulting in a brawl that claimed the lives of 19 people, including four African-American troops. Melissa Noel, Essence, 15 Nov. 2023 They were pistol-whipped, cut with knives, shocked with stun guns, made to kneel for mock executions. James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023 According to court documents obtained by the paper, as well as KLAS and KSNV, Liu was bound and pistol-whipped while his wife’s head was forced underwater. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023 The intruders tied up and pistol-whipped some of the home’s occupants before stealing a gun, a Rolex and one man’s passport. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023 Prosecutors said that about two weeks before the shooting Simpkins was robbed and pistol-whipped at a gas station. Allie Kelly, Dallas News, 24 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pistol-whip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pistol-whip was circa 1930

Dictionary Entries Near pistol-whip

Cite this Entry

“Pistol-whip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol-whip. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pistol-whip

verb
: to beat with a pistol

More from Merriam-Webster on pistol-whip

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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