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
Remember, he was considered by many people a long shot to even win the Presidency.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Should Trump and Xi reach an agreement on a joint effort to reopen the strait, that could offer near-term relief to the energy crunch — though some analysts say such an outcome remains a long shot.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Democrats are taking a legal long shot in asking the justices to reverse the Virginia court's ruling.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Democrats are taking a legal long shot in asking the justices to reverse the Virginia court’s ruling.
—Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for long shot
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Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Should Trump and Xi reach an agreement on a joint effort to reopen the strait, that could offer near-term relief to the energy crunch — though some analysts say such an outcome remains a long shot.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Democrats are taking a legal long shot in asking the justices to reverse the Virginia court's ruling.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Democrats are taking a legal long shot in asking the justices to reverse the Virginia court’s ruling.
—Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 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 13 May. 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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