held at gunpoint

USAGE SUMMARY

"held at gunpoint" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is being threatened with a gun. For example, "The bank robber held the teller at gunpoint and forced him to hand over all the money in the register."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was held at gunpoint in Honiara, the capital.

The Economist

Her father said he was held at gunpoint.

The New York Times

Both were held at gunpoint, but neither was hurt.

The Guardian

It was stressful work, with two lives held at gunpoint.

The New York Times

Cohen complained that he had been held at gunpoint by Spector during the recording sessions.

Independent

The crews are often held at gunpoint for months while ransom negotiations play out.

The New York Times

He was held at gunpoint by a neighbor until the authorities arrived.

The New York Times

They were robbed nine times, tear-gassed and held at gunpoint.

The New York Times

Her husband was carjacked and her friend was recently held at gunpoint during a robbery.

The Economist

By his account, Mr. Struck soon was held at gunpoint by U.S. soldiers.

The New York Times

He had recently been held at gunpoint during a bank robbery in Venice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held at gunpoint", ensure the context clearly indicates the immediate threat and use of a firearm to control or coerce the person being held. Avoid using it loosely to describe situations where a weapon might be present but not actively used for coercion.

Common error

Avoid using "held at gunpoint" if the situation involves a gun being present but not directly used to threaten or control someone. For example, simply witnessing a crime where a gun is visible doesn't equate to being "held at gunpoint."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held at gunpoint" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone was the recipient of an action involving a firearm. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing victims of armed coercion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held at gunpoint" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation where someone is threatened and controlled by a firearm. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it conveys a serious situation involving immediate danger and coercion. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the immediate threat and active use of the firearm for coercion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forced at gunpoint

Highlights the action being forced with a gun as the method.

threatened with a firearm

Focuses on the presence and threat of a firearm, but doesn't necessarily imply restraint.

compelled by armed threat

Highlights the act of compelling someone through an armed threat.

menaced with a pistol

Specific to a pistol and emphasizes a menacing presence.

coerced under threat of violence

Emphasizes coercion and potential violence, broader than just a gun.

intimidated with a weapon

Focuses on intimidation using a weapon, which could be something other than a gun.

held hostage

Implies captivity, which isn't always present when someone is "held at gunpoint".

faced with a gun

Emphasizes confrontation with a gun, lacks the element of control.

under armed guard

Suggests continuous guarding, not a singular event.

subjected to gun violence

Broader term referring to any act of violence involving a gun.

FAQs

How can I use "held at gunpoint" in a sentence?

You can use "held at gunpoint" to describe situations where someone is threatened and controlled with a firearm, such as, "The cashier was "held at gunpoint" during the bank robbery".

What's a less dramatic way to say someone was "held at gunpoint"?

Depending on the context, you could say someone was "threatened with a firearm", "forced at gunpoint", or "coerced under threat of violence".

Is it correct to say "was hold at gunpoint" instead of "held at gunpoint"?

No, "was hold at gunpoint" is grammatically incorrect. The correct passive form is "was "held at gunpoint"", using the past participle "held".

What are the implications of saying someone was "held at gunpoint"?

Saying someone was "held at gunpoint" indicates a serious and potentially life-threatening situation involving the direct threat of violence with a firearm, suggesting a high level of duress and control by the aggressor.