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
Professor Freedman said that Mr. Trump would have to persuade Mr. Putin to agree to terms that are acceptable to Mr. Zelensky — an exceedingly long shot.
—
Mark Landler, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
His return for another season looks like a long shot, but goal scorers have extreme value and one or two massive playoff markers could change the signing scenario for this player.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
The Red Sox will likely have competition for Scherzer's services from other MLB teams, most if whom will be expected to at least try him in the starting rotation, so Boston's chances of landing Scherzer as a bullpen piece may be a long shot.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Disgruntled Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and the Suns appear to have mutual interest in one another, but the Suns are a long shot to actually land him.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for long shot
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.
Mark Landler, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
His return for another season looks like a long shot, but goal scorers have extreme value and one or two massive playoff markers could change the signing scenario for this player.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
The Red Sox will likely have competition for Scherzer's services from other MLB teams, most if whom will be expected to at least try him in the starting rotation, so Boston's chances of landing Scherzer as a bullpen piece may be a long shot.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Disgruntled Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and the Suns appear to have mutual interest in one another, but the Suns are a long shot to actually land him.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for long shot
Cite this Entry
“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share