scattergun

noun or adjective

scat·​ter·​gun ˈska-tər-ˌgən How to pronounce scattergun (audio)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web With a view to financing the rebuilding of Ukraine, Summers said the World Bank needs to emphasize speed of execution over its current more scattergun approach to development financing. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2022 The odds are that when facing a black-box situation, the evildoer will resort to using a scattergun approach in hopes that something will do the trick for them. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 May 2022 Today, with lots of capital at the earliest stages, founders are able to spend a lot on customer acquisition and take a more scattergun approach. Chris Smith, Forbes, 2 Sep. 2021 Rhodes and his bandmates Simon Le Bon, John Taylor and Roger Taylor also answered a round of scattergun questions. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 Aug. 2021 The general scattergun nature of it all reflects the need to fill an information void created when a first-year AD who’s never hired a coach before goes it alone without the help of a search firm. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Mar. 2021 The spacious 24x56-inch cockpit allows plenty of freedom for swinging a scattergun. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Nov. 2020 United's scattergun transfer approach certainly hasn't created a wave of optimism. Aimee Lewis, CNN, 6 Oct. 2020 But a single-barrel introduced during the Great Depression gets my nod as the best squirrel-hunting scattergun of all time. Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 18 Sep. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scattergun.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scattergun was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near scattergun

Cite this Entry

“Scattergun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scattergun. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

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