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:
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
Qatar is still viewed as the long shot of the group with +275 odds to advance to the knockout stage.
—
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 13 June 2026
The writing is excellent, the performances are gripping, and the cinematography is world-class (nobody does a sweeping long shot like Spielberg).
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 12 June 2026
Founded in 2002, SpaceX seemed like a long shot, Musk said speaking Friday morning via video link connecting SpaceX headquarters to the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Chevalier was considered a long shot to unseat Espaillat, a five-term incumbent and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for long shot
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Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 13 June 2026
The writing is excellent, the performances are gripping, and the cinematography is world-class (nobody does a sweeping long shot like Spielberg).
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 12 June 2026
Founded in 2002, SpaceX seemed like a long shot, Musk said speaking Friday morning via video link connecting SpaceX headquarters to the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Chevalier was considered a long shot to unseat Espaillat, a five-term incumbent and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
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 19 Jun. 2026.
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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