long shot
noun
1
: a venture involving great risk but promising a great reward if successful
also
: a venture unlikely to succeed
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning
3
: a bet in which the chances of winning are slight but the possible winnings great
Examples of long shot in a Sentence
I hope to double my profits, but I know that's a long shot.
The horse was a long shot, but we bet on him anyway.
She always bets on long shots at the racetrack.
Recent Examples on the Web
Staley is a current long shot to become the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator.
—
Vincent Frank, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Williamson, a two-time presidential hopeful, is a long shot in the race to replace Harrison, though she’s remained a recognizable face in party politics as an outspoken progressive who’s positioned herself as an outsider within the party.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
Jimmy Carter lived longer than any other president — and by a long shot.
—Joe Murphy, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Biden was the first sitting U.S. senator to endorse Carter’s presidential bid in 1975, when his run for the White House was still considered a long shot bid.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for long shot 
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Vincent Frank, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Williamson, a two-time presidential hopeful, is a long shot in the race to replace Harrison, though she’s remained a recognizable face in party politics as an outspoken progressive who’s positioned herself as an outsider within the party.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
Jimmy Carter lived longer than any other president — and by a long shot.
—Joe Murphy, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Biden was the first sitting U.S. senator to endorse Carter’s presidential bid in 1975, when his run for the White House was still considered a long shot bid.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for long shot
Dictionary Entries Near long shot
Cite this Entry
“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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long shot
noun1
: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning
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