sharpshooter
noun
sharp·shoot·er
ˈshärp-ˌshü-tər 
plural sharpshooters
1
: a person who is highly skilled in shooting a weapon (such as a rifle) at a mark or target
a police sharpshooter
Determined to prevent any attempt on Lincoln's life, General Winfield Scott had placed sharpshooters on the roofs of buildings along the avenue …—
David Herbert Donald
David Herbert Donald2
sports
: a consistently accurate shooter (as in basketball)
A 6' 9" sharpshooter who several NBA scouts predict will be a first-round pick …—Tim Crothers
Tim Crothers3
: any of various large leafhoppers that have powerful hind legs with spines on the tibia
The sharpshooter uses a needlelike mouthpart to suck fluids from trees and plants. As it goes from one to the next, it spreads diseases that can wipe out orange groves and other crops.—Carl Zimmer
Carl ZimmerIn Temecula, disease-carrying sharpshooters have turned some vineyards into wastelands.—Steve Schmidt
Steve SchmidtExamples of sharpshooter in a Sentence
the police stationed sharpshooters on rooftops all along the route of the presidential motorcade
Recent Examples on the Web
As the visiting Minnesota Lynx celebrated a comeback victory for the ages to advance to the playoff semifinals, the Italian sharpshooter lay on the ground with her hands over her head – deflated, defeated and in shock that the Valkyries’ season ended right then and there.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
While protest organizers assured attendees police sharpshooters are not uncommon at Milwaukee protests, their presence at Sunday's protest prompted discussions online about why sharpshooters were there.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Footage from the 1966 Italian documentary Africa Addio, of a herd of elephants being felled by both ground hunters and sharpshooters in helicopters, is distressing to watch.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Long before a series of bold moves landed the Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and even Kevin Durant — and a sharpshooter named Stephen Curry, once viewed as a risk due to his ankle issues — the franchise was known for falling short instead of winning championships.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sharpshooter
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Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
While protest organizers assured attendees police sharpshooters are not uncommon at Milwaukee protests, their presence at Sunday's protest prompted discussions online about why sharpshooters were there.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Footage from the 1966 Italian documentary Africa Addio, of a herd of elephants being felled by both ground hunters and sharpshooters in helicopters, is distressing to watch.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Long before a series of bold moves landed the Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and even Kevin Durant — and a sharpshooter named Stephen Curry, once viewed as a risk due to his ankle issues — the franchise was known for falling short instead of winning championships.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sharpshooter
Cite this Entry
“Sharpshooter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sharpshooter. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sharpshooter
noun
sharp·shoot·er
ˈshärp-ˌshüt-ər
: one skilled in shooting : a good marksman
sharpshooting
noun
-ˌshüt-iŋ
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