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
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Noun
The high-speed pursuit includes a procession of would-be sharpshooters taking potshots at her, including Yippie & the Kiyays, Sadie the Stabber & the Crazyboys, Rowdy Ricky & the Red Flags, and the mega-jacked Derk Delusional (the One to Outrun).
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potshot
Verb
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Aged 30, Makelele had been converted from an attacking midfielder to a deep-lying, anchoring midfielder that would protect his back line and hoover up any defensive actions that came anywhere near his orbit.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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Five dogs escaped and brutally attacked a 43-year-old man in Arizona, leading to his death days later, deputies said.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The initial strikes were the opening salvo in what senior American officials said was a new offensive against the militants and a message to Iran as Mr. Trump seeks a nuclear deal with its government.—
Eric Schmitt,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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Listen to this article Last year was among the safest on the subway in over a decade, according to data presented by the MTA’s head of security Wednesday — the latest salvo in a war of facts and apparent disinformation with the subway system’s federal funding at stake.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Ruffin was quick with her answer, slamming the Republican party for her removal from the WHCA dinner.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
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The Kings lost nine of their last 12 games to open the door for the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference play-in race, but that door might have slammed shut Sunday.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Walker Kessler’s 3-point barrage Words soften over time.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Oscar Wilde’s infamous antihero Dorian Gray probably would’ve loved to have a barrage of cameras pointed at him, reflecting his gorgeous visage.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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According to learning platform Preply, almost one-third of American workers have witnessed their boss publicly insulting or humiliating an employee.—
Amanda Kavanagh | This Column was created by Jobbio,
The Hill,
28 Mar. 2025
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Listen to this article An Aurora attorney who cursed at and insulted school district employees during a special education meeting violated professional conduct rules and can be publicly censured, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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According to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the North Korean troops retreated back across the Military Demarcation Line following loudspeaker warnings and a volley of warning gunfire at around 5 p.m. local time.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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March 29 Second Half Battle Sees NC State Fall The second half the game seemed to reflect a tennis volley with the score constantly switching back and forth throughout the third quarter.—
Allison Smith,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Back in the fortress, the Man of Steel scolds Krypto for wrecking the joint while he was gone.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
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After the kid was saved, Beltran scolded the resident, reminding her not to bring her personal life into the ER — or her attending’s.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Trump has roiled relations with Canada with a fusillade of tariff threats, new registration requirements to enter the U.S. and rhetoric about turning the longtime northern ally into America’s 51st state.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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