shot 1 of 2

noun

ˈshät How to pronounce shot (audio)
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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2
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something let's take another shot at the puzzle

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3
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
as in fired
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force BB guns shoot small round metal pellets

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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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3
as in drilled
to strike with a missile from a gun hunters can shoot deer only during the legally specified open season

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4
as in sped
to proceed or move quickly some show-off shot past all the other skiers on the slope

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

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6
as in cast
to throw or give off suddenly the old, broken-down toaster began shooting out sparks

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7
as in shouted
to voice one's opinions freely with force you've been wanting to say something since this meeting started, so shoot

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8
as in sprinkled
to mark with small spots especially unevenly hazel eyes that were brown shot with green

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9
as in sent
to cause to go or be taken from one place to another shot a congratulatory e-mail to his friend as soon as he heard the good news

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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
But the singles by Happ that were hit not particularly hard to left field — the first of them low enough that Machado would have had a shot at grabbing it had he not been shifted far to the right against the switch hitter batting from the left side — started those rallies. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025 Even so, plenty of Southerners have been eager to give it a shot. — Rick Rojas, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
Both films were shot back to back, so the same top-notch storytelling and able performances are present. — Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024 Shoutout to the 38 Republicans who shot the bill down in the House while being threatened & blackmailed. — Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for shot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shot
  1. firing
  2. attempt
  3. photo
  4. sip
  5. guess
  6. opportunity
  7. fired
  8. cast
Noun
  • The Conversation — The Trump administration’s firing and furloughing of tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors have obviously caused economic hardship for Americans employed in national parks, research labs and dozens of government agencies.
    — Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Mass firings of federal workers have generated lawsuits Thousands of federal workers have been let go as the Trump administration seeks to dramatically downsize the federal government.
    — Time, Time, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of firing
Noun
  • The Wild finally gained possession, worked it up the wall and Ryan Hartman’s low-speed attempt at an exit was picked off by Dobson and his shot was tipped past Filip Gustavsson by Casey Cizikas 36 seconds after Zuccarello’s goal.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Black and brown Californians angered at attempts to erase history, legacy and achievement under pretense of eliminating diversity and equity initiatives.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of attempt
Noun
  • As the dye travels through your blood vessels, a camera takes photos of the blood vessels in the retina to check for leaking.
    — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Newsweek could not independently verify the photos' authenticity.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of photo
Noun
  • At a panel following a finale watch party here, Wood was teary, taking sips of water.
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Jess grabs a glass of Champagne off the tray of a passing waiter and takes a long sip.
    — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of sip
Noun
  • Trash collection How Wednesday’s council vote on the extension will go is anyone’s guess.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Competitive Wordle Score Zero points all around today, what with the four guesses and the tie.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of guess
Noun
  • The challenge is taking advantage of the rare opportunities that present themselves.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Change for two-ways Unlike past years, the Heat’s two-way players didn’t get many NBA opportunities this season once Dru Smith sustained a season-ending Achilles injury on Dec. 12 after moving into the Heat’s starting lineup.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of opportunity
Verb
  • In England, experts unearthed eight stone balls fired from catapults during Henry III’s siege of Kenilworth Castle in 1266.
    — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The Bears offense struggled under coordinator Shane Waldron, so he was fired.
    — Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of fired
Verb
  • Filming is due to begin this September in Italy with casting discussions underway.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than take a documentarian approach to photography, which tends to be more reactive and spontaneous, Aldridge’s process can be compared to that of a film director — starting with a storyboard, then the casting and set design.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of cast

Phrases Containing shot

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short-term
shot
shot at
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Cite this Entry

“Shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shot. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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