as in occasional
happening only once
this offer is a one-shot deal; if you refuse, you won't get another chance
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Recent Examples of one-shot
The plan to monetize unpaid bills is also a one-shot solution, experts warned.
—
Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
There isn’t a single NHL team that wouldn’t want to add a fast winger that hits everything that moves to their lineup for the playoffs, especially if that speedy, physical winger is also on pace to score 30 goals and is a legitimately gifted one-shot goal scoring threat with rush attacking value.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
This is one of the cleanest one-shots in Visions' entire three-season run so far, and it's told with lots of composure.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
French filmmaker David Moreau’s MadS is in some ways the platonic ideal of the one-shot film, using the lack of cuts to create a sense of propulsion and relentlessness that mirrors its characters’ descent into hell.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-shot
Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
There isn’t a single NHL team that wouldn’t want to add a fast winger that hits everything that moves to their lineup for the playoffs, especially if that speedy, physical winger is also on pace to score 30 goals and is a legitimately gifted one-shot goal scoring threat with rush attacking value.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
This is one of the cleanest one-shots in Visions' entire three-season run so far, and it's told with lots of composure.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
French filmmaker David Moreau’s MadS is in some ways the platonic ideal of the one-shot film, using the lack of cuts to create a sense of propulsion and relentlessness that mirrors its characters’ descent into hell.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-shot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-shot
Adjective
-
Senior royals, usually greeted by cheering crowds, have in recent years faced occasional heckles from members of the public relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Yes, Florida comes with the occasional hurricane, but the tradeoff is daily sunshine, endless outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and the chance to wake up somewhere that feels like a permanent vacation.—
Carrie Honaker,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Organizers say the approach will be long-term and sustainability-focused, designed to strengthen German-Israeli cultural cooperation over time rather than through one-off initiatives.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
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In a new interview with the U2 fanzine Propaganda — which is being relaunched as a one-off digital zine and will also be available in print at select stores — Bono discusses the song.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“One-shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-shot. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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