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Definitions

smoking gun

NOUN
damning evidence
Synonyms
WEAK
absolute indication clue conclusive evidence corroboration documentation evidence incontrovertible evidence indisputable evidence proof straw in the wind substantiation support sure sign telltale tip-off unmistakable sign verification

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Now, I think Joseph has found the smoking gun," Howell continued, "and he's tied the bumps into the magnetar model, and explained everything with the best-tested theory in astrophysics -- General Relativity.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

"There is no smoking gun in this case," Kaufman told the three-judge panel at the ICC.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

But they were, with remarkable frequency, also a smoking gun.

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2026

But the RBA still needs a smoking gun in the CPI data, with most attention on the trimmed mean core inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

The tape of Nixon and his staff plotting to use the CIA to block the FBI’s investigation of the Watergate break-in proved to be the smoking gun prosecutors were looking for.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.