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 secretary of defense (Jared Harris) expresses shock that the missile defense system, which cost $50 billion, has just a 50% chance at successfully shooting down the missile — and, indeed, in the film, the system fails to do its job.
—
Adam B. Vary, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
In 2015, Turkey shot down a Russian jet violating its airspace.
—Kathleen Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Thompson also shot down complaints that the program has led to more food waste because students aren’t paying for the meals.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
The military has the capability to shoot down warheads, but not at a rate that could combat multiple nukes coming toward us in a large-scale attack.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoot down
Adam B. Vary, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
In 2015, Turkey shot down a Russian jet violating its airspace.
—Kathleen Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Thompson also shot down complaints that the program has led to more food waste because students aren’t paying for the meals.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
The military has the capability to shoot down warheads, but not at a rate that could combat multiple nukes coming toward us in a large-scale attack.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoot down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoot down
Verb
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Many skilled bartenders seem to scorn the Bloody Mary, regarding it as unserious and lightweight, just as many in the food world loathe brunch, the meal most often associated with the Bloody Mary, or wine people ridicule Sancerre, seeing it as a fallback order for people who know little about wine.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
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Evidently the Miami Dolphins didn’t like being mocked and ridiculed all week, nationally by the football media and at home by their own angry fans.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 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
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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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Over the course of four months in 1956-57, Israeli forces killed as many as 1,500 Palestinians in Gaza.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Listeria infects about 1,250 people in the United States each year, according to the CDC, and kills about 172.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
2 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 8 Nov. 2025.
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