Definition of shotnext
1
as in firing
a directed propelling of a missile by a firearm or artillery piece cannon operators often had to use several shots to figure out the range of their targets

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as in photo
a picture created from an image recorded on a light-sensitive surface by a camera took a shot of his family for the scrapbook

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4
as in shooter
a person skilled in shooting at a target a soldier who's an excellent shot with a rifle

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5
as in sip
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time drank a shot of whisky

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6
as in guess
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence I have no idea what's different about you, but I'll take a shot: you cut your hair?

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7
as in opportunity
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place we have a real shot at getting into the championship if we win this next match

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shot

2 of 2

verb

past tense of shoot
1
2
as in blasted
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force soldiers train extensively to learn to shoot accurately and quickly

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5
as in photographed
to take a photograph of shooting the lakeside scene while the light lasted

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shot
Noun
The new order calls for splitting up combination vaccines, like the one that protects against measles, mumps and rubella, which would be given as three shots instead of one, at three separate office visits. Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 Health experts say the rising number of measles and whooping cough cases are just the start of the changing public health landscape resulting from the White House’s new stance on kids getting shots. Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
It was shot between New York, Tokyo, London, Cannes, Miami and Monaco. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Mullin briefly ordered the agency to end traffic stops and vehicle chases after an ICE agent shot and killed an unarmed Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shot
Noun
  • Under Bondi and Blanche’s leadership, the department has lost thousands of employees through firings, resignations or voluntary departures.
    Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Part of the process included increasing the duration of the satellite’s thruster burns to get ready for the multi-hour firings needed while grappling the observatory.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The fallout from that controversial attempt has divided the soccer landscape, with continental confederations and individual national associations all split on whether a change in FIFA leadership is needed.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The bottom line is that litigation must be managed and an attempt made to settle the case early if possible.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Tan Chow from the Chinatown Community Development Center sent CBS News Bay Area photos of the Garden Restaurant incident.
    Maddie White, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Erblin Ademi clutched the photo of his father holding him as a little boy.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Guests can spot her prints while lounging outside, sip cocktails created for the occasion, and shop for clothes that suit their trip.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • When asked if anyone from the original movie’s cast—which included James Franco, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, Vanessa Hudgens and Rachel Korine—would return for the sequel, Thorne took a sip of her drink.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • My best guess for the structure of the stream is some sort of hybrid between real-world imagery, cutscenes and actual gameplay.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Yet 167 years after German mathematician Bernhard Riemann made this guess, and in spite of a million-dollar bounty, mathematicians still have no idea how to prove it.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • As a senior leader or mid-level executive tired of the grind, consider the massive opportunity hiding in plain sight.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Americans are navigating a labor market with opportunities for some but not for all, sidelining job seekers and leaving many of the youngest job hunters without the foundational roles and skills needed for their futures.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • During the war, Tehran had reportedly fired missiles as far as Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military base about 2,000 miles from Iran.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Tenants of the building on Bergen Street were told to remain in their units for several hours as police investigated reports of shots fired and at least three people wounded.
    Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Five minutes later, Temwa Chawinga drilled a ball from outside the 18-yard box that bounced off a Ghana defender and into the net for the equalizer.
    PJ Green August 9, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In reality, the well may be drilled nearly 1 mile deep, and then curved by turning roughly 4 degrees every 100 feet.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shot. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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