1
as in to ridicule
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter
nowadays the aging activist is routinely shot down in most quarters of the media and dismissed as an irrelevant crank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dismiss
to reject by or as if by a vote
every one of my fund-raising ideas was shot down by the other club members
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to refute
to prove to be false
the results of several studies shoot down the hypothesis that coffee causes heart attacks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shoot down
The Kremlin forcefully shot down the rumors on Friday, saying there was no basis to them.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
In an appearance on Fox News on Thursday morning, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shot down concerns that the crash was related to the government shutdown.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Richmond Township voters shot down a ballot question about a new millage, not to exceed 1 mill, for five years to fund the maintenance of ditches, drains and roads.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025
However, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic shot down that explanation in his reporting on Bieber's return to Toronto on Tuesday night.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoot down
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
In an appearance on Fox News on Thursday morning, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shot down concerns that the crash was related to the government shutdown.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Richmond Township voters shot down a ballot question about a new millage, not to exceed 1 mill, for five years to fund the maintenance of ditches, drains and roads.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025
However, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic shot down that explanation in his reporting on Bieber's return to Toronto on Tuesday night.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoot down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoot down
Verb
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Mamdani has many bold ideas to address this—some of which have been ridiculed—and not all will be achieved.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, in documents obtained by Rolling Stone, a California superior court judge overseeing the lawsuit ruled in favor of Kardashian and the anti-SLAPP motion, effectively dismissing the other Cantu’s lawsuit, though the judge left open the possibility of an appeal.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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This company’s approach to pest control begins with a philosophy that dismisses the business-as-usual assumptions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Spotify also refuted that the program only helps major label artists, contending that the feature is popular among both major and independent acts.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Rosen refuted Palomares’ claim, saying the tugboat captain was reckless and should have been on the lookout for recreational boaters who frequent those waters.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Spicer was voted out after eight weeks of mocking from social media and the show’s judges.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
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Brown said, mocking the press headlines.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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Four people were killed over a four-day period in crashes on Arkansas highways, according to preliminary Arkansas State Police reports.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These two justices noted a president could veto any legislation aimed at limiting executive power.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 Nov. 2025
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If the proposals are approved, Johnson has the authority to veto either the purpose, the amount or the entire line item listed in any amendments approved by the Common Council.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The world’s diplomats must refuse to seat or recognise Min Aung Hlaing or his representatives at any summit or ministerial meeting.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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Some of the girls were hired as servants in the homes of higher-status Burghers, though Rustin refused on principle to consider it.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In April, Moody’s revised the rating outlook for Thailand to negative from stable, flagging rising political uncertainty and sustained growth weakness.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
1 Sep. 2025
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On the way to scoring a 25-19, 25-9, 25-4 victory, UW was not blocked once, held the Bobcats to negative hitting in each set and in the final set tied a program record for fewest points allowed in a set.—
Mark Stewart,
Journal Sentinel,
2 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Shoot down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoot%20down. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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