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
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
Or a long shot turns into a big win.
—
Braden Yuill, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Like his brother Erik, who can’t apply for another parole hearing until 2028, Lyle Menendez can seek a review of Friday’s decision based on factual inaccuracies that may impact the final outcome — but the success of such a move could be a long shot.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
House Democrats attempted to stall deliberations for hours during Wednesday's floor session before the final vote with various long shot amendment proposals.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
Tagovailoa playing anywhere but Miami in 2026 remains a long shot.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for long shot
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Braden Yuill, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Like his brother Erik, who can’t apply for another parole hearing until 2028, Lyle Menendez can seek a review of Friday’s decision based on factual inaccuracies that may impact the final outcome — but the success of such a move could be a long shot.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
House Democrats attempted to stall deliberations for hours during Wednesday's floor session before the final vote with various long shot amendment proposals.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
Tagovailoa playing anywhere but Miami in 2026 remains a long shot.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
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 4 Sep. 2025.
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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