long shot
noun
1
: a venture involving great risk but promising a great reward if successful
also
: a venture unlikely to succeed
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning
3
: a bet in which the chances of winning are slight but the possible winnings great
see also by a long shot
Examples of long shot in a Sentence
I hope to double my profits, but I know that's a long shot.
The horse was a long shot, but we bet on him anyway.
She always bets on long shots at the racetrack.
Recent Examples on the Web
In light of the Constitution’s Senate confirmation requirement, success along this path seems like a long shot and would likely substantially delay the prosecutions.
—
Barbara McQuade, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
Segesta finished 21/4 lengths ahead of long shot In Our Time with second-favorite Ag Bullet another three-quarters of a length back in third.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025
Infused with Noah Baumbach's particular affection for offbeat humor and long shots of wistful glances, Jay Kelly charts new possibilities for Netflix.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
How to Watch Vanderbilt vs Tennessee Vanderbilt remains a long shot for the College Football Playoff with a 5-2 record in Southeastern Conference play and no path to the conference championship game.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for long shot
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Barbara McQuade, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
Segesta finished 21/4 lengths ahead of long shot In Our Time with second-favorite Ag Bullet another three-quarters of a length back in third.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025
Infused with Noah Baumbach's particular affection for offbeat humor and long shots of wistful glances, Jay Kelly charts new possibilities for Netflix.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
How to Watch Vanderbilt vs Tennessee Vanderbilt remains a long shot for the College Football Playoff with a 5-2 record in Southeastern Conference play and no path to the conference championship game.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for long shot
Cite this Entry
“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
long shot
noun1
: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning
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