shot 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in shooter
a person skilled in shooting at a target a soldier who's an excellent shot with a rifle

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
as in sip
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time drank a shot of whisky

Synonyms & Similar Words

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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

shot

2 of 2

verb

past tense of shoot
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
as in photographed
to take a photograph of shooting the lakeside scene while the light lasted

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
8
9

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
Igor Thiago stepped up to take it, placing his shot to Livakovic’s right. Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026 Miguel Vargas hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs, Austin Hays hammered a three-run shot and the Chicago White Sox beat the Miami Marlins 9-4 on Monday night for their first win this season. Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Kaori Patterson-Moore was shot in the head by a stray bullet as her mom pushed her and her 2-year-old brother in a double stroller near Humboldt and Moore Sts. Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026 Because on a night the Celtics shot 21 of 44 on 3-pointers, the Heat countered at 24 of 47 from beyond the arc, tying the franchise record for 3-pointers. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shot
Noun
  • That tag is estimated at around $28 million against the cap, a significant one‑year cost but a price Dallas is apparently willing to pay to keep the offensive engine firing.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The six-minute five-second engine firing will boost the ship's velocity by about 900 mph, just enough to push it out of Earth's orbit to begin the four-day coast to the moon.
    William Harwood, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Lori’s speech articulates the fundamental twinship of artists and critics—a reality that has always resisted attempts to drive a wedge between the two.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Since then, the case has been tied up in court as Morris and the church attempt to agree on an arbitrator.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In a file photo, Tina Peters, former Mesa County clerk, listens during her trial on March 3, 2023, in Grand Junction, Colo.
    Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The Justice Department began releasing a huge cache of additional Epstein documents, videos and photos, though others remained under wraps.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Next came a real-estate heiress, who, between sips of the Edith (a heady blend of vermouth, sherry, and rum), beckoned one of the guests to the club’s back room.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Rooms Stepping into a room at The Berkeley feels like the first sip of its famed afternoon tea—calming, refreshing, and instantly soothing.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Fans of the guessing game have offered thousands of theories, with guesses from Akita to Shiba Inu and various mixes.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Whether Karim ever posts a second video remains anyone’s guess, but the demand from commenters is real.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The rapid proliferation of art biennials in the ’90s gave them plenty of opportunities and reflected a world reorganizing itself after the Cold War.
    Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Once North Carolina fired Hubert Davis after five seasons, Billy Donovan immediately rose to the top of the list of favorites to become the next head coach of the storied program.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • About 2 minutes and 40 seconds into the fight, Grasso drilled Barber in the head with a left hook, knocking her out.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Corjay gathered the rebound and drilled a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining for the game-winner.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shot. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on shot

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster