shot 1 of 2

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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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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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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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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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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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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

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verb

past tense of shoot
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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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as in photographed
to take a photograph of shooting the lakeside scene while the light lasted

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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
Or the team can continue to see what Gabriel can do as a starter, and give Sanders a shot at starting at some point. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 The group can be seen yelling toward a fan in the rows behind them before a can comes flying into the shot. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Argentine singer Fede Dorcaz was shot and killed in Mexico City just days before he was set to appear on a popular Mexican television dance competition. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 11 Oct. 2025 Mangione allegedly waited for Thompson to pass by and then shot him at close range. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shot
Noun
  • The veteran host has been candid about his firing, citing his opposition to casting political figures like Sean Spicer.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • While the full scope of the firings wasn’t clear, some of the departments affected included the agency’s Office of Communications and the Center for Mental Health Services, where dozens were let go from multiple areas, according to one of the employees.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On Sunday, Jeanty was stopped for a loss or no gain on four of his 10 runs against light boxes, and overall, the Las Vegas Raiders were stuffed 11 times on 29 attempts — the most of any team in a game this season.
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Ongoing battle over Louisiana's congressional map The controversy grew out of Louisiana’s attempt to account for population shifts after the 2020 census.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Although there were no photos of Swift arriving at Arrowhead Stadium this time, the NBC Sports cameras spotted her in a suite.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The rye character of the whiskey is definitely front and center, with notes of spice, fruit, vanilla, and caramel popping on every sip.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Megan couldn't choke down a single sip of the chicken smoothie and almost puked in the sink after trying it.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • My guess is that Connor’s explosiveness determines his eventual decline from star winger to capable scorer, likely around age 33 or 34.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Why Roberts went to Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia first is anyone’s guess.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Because access to opportunity is not evenly distributed, Patel adds that receiving help isn’t something to feel guilty about.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
  • More than 100 entrepreneurs won an opportunity at Walmart's Open Call this week to place their products on Walmart and Sam's Club shelves and e-commerce sites.
    Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • About 600 workers at the CDC remained fired Monday in conjunction with the federal government shutdown after hundreds more had originally been targeted, according to the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883, which represents CDC employees in Atlanta.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Frelick recovered and fired the ball to the infield, and the defense was able to get Teoscar Hernandez with the force out.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The score would hold until the final minute of the second quarter, when Jonah Selter drilled a 32-yard field goal to provide the Mustangs a 10-0 edge at intermission.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Zack Marticorena and Jacob Romeo each scored rushing TDs and Christian Slojkowski drilled a 40-yard field goal.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shot. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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