kill shot
noun
variants
or less commonly killshot
plural kill shots also killshots
1
: a shot (as from a firearm) that results in the death of its target
… he did not yet know how many shots were fired or which law enforcement officer fired the kill shot.—Lindsey McPherson
A traditional bowhunter … has to get much closer to his quarry to ensure a good, clean kill shot.—George Catlin, quoted in The Observer-Dispatch (Utica, New York)
—sometimes used figuratively… members of the court telegraphed their willingness to administer a kill shot to a Voting Rights Act …—Michael Paul Williams
2
sports
a
: a point, goal, etc. that ends an opponent's chances of winning
With around nine minutes to play in the game, the Buccaneers elected to go in for the kill shot against the Eagles by going for it on fourth-and-3 while leading 28-14.—Tyler Sullivan
… got the killshot on a 3-pointer … with 35 seconds left.—Robert Beskow
b
: a return shot in any of various games (such as badminton, volleyball, or table tennis) that is too challenging for an opponent to handle : kill entry 2 sense 2c
With her team up 18-14, it was her kill shot that turned the serve back over to the Vikings …—Josh Shannon
c
American football
: a very hard hit or tackle
Normally, you want to go for the kill shot when you've got a chance to tackle somebody. But they've got so many people with great moves and speed, if you miss on a kill shot, they're gone.—Toby Wright, quoted in United Press International
Cite this Entry
“Kill shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kill%20shot. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.
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