Skip to main content
gunslinging

gunslinging

1 8.0
Aggressive speech meant to intimidate or dominate others
  • noun
  • /ˈɡʌnˌslɪŋɪŋ/
  • Literature
translation icon : agresividad
  • His gunslinging approach in the debate left his opponent visibly intimidated.

Examples

  • Romney's musings on foreign policy are at best off-the-cuff gunslinging and pandering that would (hopefully) disappear if he were elected and had to confront the real responsibility of decision-making in foreign affairs.

    Blog text (26)
  • The politician's gunslinging rhetoric aimed to dominate the conversation and silence critics.

  • In the meeting, her gunslinging demeanor made it clear she was not willing to back down.

Synonyms

war of words
vsgunslinging
15 6.2

A long angry argument in public between opposing groups

is generally aggressive and aimed at domination even in shorter attacks
shouting match
vsgunslinging
  • Informal
7 3.8

A noisy argument in which people try to shout louder than each other

is more about deliberate intimidation in speech rather than simple noise
heckling
vsgunslinging
6 7.1

Shouting comments to interrupt and upset a person speaking

is broader aggressive behavior beyond interrupting or disrupting a talk
belligerence
vsgunslinging
5 7.9

Unfriendly and aggressive behavior that tries to start a fight

is focused on aggressive action aimed at dominating conversations
sparring
vsgunslinging
4 5.8

A short angry argument where people try to gain an advantage

is similar but emphasizes intimidating and dominating rather than testing skill
harangue
vsgunslinging
4 8.9

A long angry speech that attacks a person or their ideas

is broader, covering many hostile acts not only single forceful speeches
saber rattling
vsgunslinging
  • Literature
4 7.7

Showing weapons to scare other countries without fighting

is verbal and confrontational mainly in debate, not military posturing
jousting
vsgunslinging
  • Literature
1 7.5

A public argument where people attack each other's ideas

is broader and stresses verbal intimidation beyond just contesting positions
combativeness
vsgunslinging
1 7.5

A willingness to argue or fight

is about active hostile behavior meant to intimidate in speech or debate
bellicoseness
vsgunslinging
9.9

A habit of starting arguments or fights

is the deliberate confrontational behavior used to intimidate others
to bear-baiting
vsgunslinging
  • Offensive
9.5

To try to make people angry on purpose to get a strong reaction

is a wider pattern of aggressive dominance rather than planned provocation
barracking
vsgunslinging
  • UK
8.4

Shouting comments to interrupt or loudly criticize a speaker

is more generally about intimidating and dominating across debates

Antonyms

114 4.4

Treating people carefully to avoid hurting their feelings

20 7.7

Showing a wish to calm people and reduce tension

How Confrontational

gunslinging
  • Literature
1 8.0
aggression
101 3.5
confrontation
294 4.5
argument
617 2.3
debate
  • Formal
2.0
discussion
1.4

Surface Forms

gunslinging singular
gunslingings plural

Morphology

gunslinging = gunsling (semi-transparent) = gun + sling + ing

The word is a regular -ing form of the verb 'gunsling'.

Etymology

Gunslinging comes from the image of a gunslinger, a quick Wild West gunfighter. A helpful way to remember this use is to think of people 'pulling out guns' with their words, so gunslinging means aggressive, showy attacks in speech meant to scare or dominate others.