sharpshooter

noun

sharp·​shoot·​er ˈshärp-ˌshü-tər How to pronounce sharpshooter (audio)
plural sharpshooters
1
: a person who is highly skilled in shooting a weapon (such as a rifle) at a mark or target
a police sharpshooter
Determined to prevent any attempt on Lincoln's life, General Winfield Scott had placed sharpshooters on the roofs of buildings along the avenue …David Herbert Donald
2
sports : a consistently accurate shooter (as in basketball)
A 6' 9" sharpshooter who several NBA scouts predict will be a first-round pick …Tim Crothers
3
: any of various large leafhoppers that have powerful hind legs with spines on the tibia
The sharpshooter uses a needlelike mouthpart to suck fluids from trees and plants. As it goes from one to the next, it spreads diseases that can wipe out orange groves and other crops.Carl Zimmer
In Temecula, disease-carrying sharpshooters have turned some vineyards into wastelands.Steve Schmidt

Examples of sharpshooter in a Sentence

the police stationed sharpshooters on rooftops all along the route of the presidential motorcade
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
After a dismal 31% from three last season, Hart’s resurgence as a sharpshooter is critical in a Knicks offense transformed by the offseason acquisitions of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024 Scoring, though, should not be an issue with scorer Walter Clayton Jr. and 3-point sharpshooter Will Richard leading the way. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Nov. 2024 The series follows six outcasts, including a convict, sharpshooter, runaway, spy, thief and a Heartrender, who need to complete a heist without killing each other first. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 5 Sep. 2024 Willard credited the Terps’ perimeter defense with making life difficult for Villanova’s sharpshooters. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sharpshooter 

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sharpshooter was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near sharpshooter

Cite this Entry

“Sharpshooter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sharpshooter. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sharpshooter

noun
sharp·​shoot·​er ˈshärp-ˌshüt-ər How to pronounce sharpshooter (audio)
: one skilled in shooting : a good marksman
sharpshooting
-ˌshüt-iŋ
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sharpshooter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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