pot·shot
ˈpät-ˌshät 
1
: a shot taken from ambush or at a random or easy target
2
: a critical remark made in a random or sporadic manner
potshot; potshotting
: to take a potshot
: to attack or shoot with a potshot
Examples of potshot in a Sentence
Noun
She uses her newspaper column to take potshots at anyone who disagrees with her.
Verb
The comic ended the show with a rant in which he potshot an assortment of celebrities.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
These potshots echo the narrative that China and Russia have been pushing in other areas of military tensions with the U.S., including cyberspace and outer space.
—Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Set in New Mexico and starring Joaquin Phoenix as a conservative small-town sheriff squaring off with Pedro Pascal’s liberal mayor, the film takes potshots across political divides, nailing some targets better than others.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Since the Game 1 New York collapse at home, pundits and fans alike have been taking potshots at the Knicks.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for potshot
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Noun
The New York Yankees were annoyed by the way several members of the 2024 Dodgers spent the offseason taking potshots at their World Series opponent.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
These potshots echo the narrative that China and Russia have been pushing in other areas of military tensions with the U.S., including cyberspace and outer space.
—Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Set in New Mexico and starring Joaquin Phoenix as a conservative small-town sheriff squaring off with Pedro Pascal’s liberal mayor, the film takes potshots across political divides, nailing some targets better than others.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Since the Game 1 New York collapse at home, pundits and fans alike have been taking potshots at the Knicks.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potshot. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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