as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
The comic ended the show with a rant in which he potshot an assortment of celebrities.
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Recent Examples of potshot
Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
In Jackpot!, the potshots at the public at large are contrivances and conveniences — cheap shots designed to sell us on the film’s uninspired action high jinks and its clangingly dull comedy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024
Elsewhere, Trump took his now-familiar potshots at electric vehicle mandates, green energy, and Harris, drawing laughter from the crowd.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Oct. 2024
Bolstered by hubris and net worth, these billionaires have loudly aligned themselves with their preferred candidate, taken potshots at the opposition, and flogged their personal policy prescriptions—often in feisty social media spats with one another.
—Byalexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Noun
The melodramatic Bea often takes potshots at spirited newcomer Ndidi (the deft Aisha Sougou) over coveted customers in some of the play’s funniest moments.
—Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
In Jackpot!, the potshots at the public at large are contrivances and conveniences — cheap shots designed to sell us on the film’s uninspired action high jinks and its clangingly dull comedy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024
Elsewhere, Trump took his now-familiar potshots at electric vehicle mandates, green energy, and Harris, drawing laughter from the crowd.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Oct. 2024
Bolstered by hubris and net worth, these billionaires have loudly aligned themselves with their preferred candidate, taken potshots at the opposition, and flogged their personal policy prescriptions—often in feisty social media spats with one another.
—Byalexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potshot
Verb
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When Jensen then decides to go long, Collins and Pinnock move towards the near post and Wissa adjusts his position to be able to attack the second ball.—
Mark Carey,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
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There’s good reason why security experts, and analysts such as myself, recommend using a password manager as hackers continue to attack the integrity of your login credentials across accounts.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Senate Republicans on Wednesday fired the opening salvo in the battle to implement President Trump’s agenda by advancing a budget resolution focused on immigration and military priorities, putting House Republicans on the back foot as the two chambers race to control the process.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
12 Feb. 2025
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Tuesday's lawsuits are the latest salvo in an ongoing rift between career FBI employees and Justice Department leadership over the Trump administration's potential personnel changes within the bureau.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Blizzard slams multiple states Powerful winds combined with snow to wreak havoc in parts of Iowa and Nebraska late Tuesday and Wednesday.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
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Pino slammed the horn and floored the gas pedal, roaring into her backyard.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Support for his tariff barrage is tepid at best, with many industry groups urging exemptions and economists warning of cascading fallout across the economy.—
Bloomberg,
The Mercury News,
13 Mar. 2025
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As an intense low-pressure system and cold front is forecasted to sweep across the country Thursday and Friday, residents and businesses from Arkansas and Louisiana into the Ohio Valley are bracing for a barrage of severe weather conditions.—
Jim Foerster,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Mental health is better than ever – haven't missed being abused by angry bots or insulted by toxic trolls.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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We have been insulted on multiple occasions by senior members of the administration.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But Louisiana is set to perform its first execution by nitrogen gas Tuesday, after a volley of court decisions blocked and then paved the way for the execution, arguing by turns the method was cruel or humane.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
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With a volley of legislation being considered this year, however, lawmakers have expressed optimism about adopting reform.—
Jenna Carlesso,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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According to Smith, James, who approached him in the third quarter during a timeout, scolded him for his commentary regarding his son and teammate, Bronny James.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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Michelle Obama playfully scolded her husband, Barack Obama, on her new podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And finally, in January 1972, several dozen people were injured in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh when hundreds of troops across the city let off a fusillade of bullets at a total eclipse of the moon.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2025
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To minimize the unending fusillade of Trump’s first weeks in office, to choose to turn away, to shut off the news, is to indulge in self-soothing.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to potshot
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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