potshot 1 of 2

verb

Definition of potshotnext
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly The comic ended the show with a rant in which he potshot an assortment of celebrities.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

potshot

2 of 2

noun

as in salvo

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of potshot
Noun
No one takes potshots at Washington or Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin, the usual lineup of Founding Fathers. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 12 Nov. 2025 No, Sean Payton wasn’t throwing a stray potshot at his special teams coordinator. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2025 As evidenced by this weekend’s flurry of festivities around its 50th anniversary, SNL has survived all the potshots. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025 Taking a potshot is a 90-day misdemeanor, plus fines. — Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for potshot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potshot
  1. attack
  2. salvo
  3. slam
  4. barrage
  5. scold
  6. volley
  7. insult
  8. fusillade
Verb
  • Another warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries was also attacked to the east of Moscow, Vorobyov said, with a fire breaking out at the facility.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Crossing threat Undoubtedly, Coventry’s best attacking moments come from wide positions.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • On July 18, at least eight people were killed by Ukrainian drone attacks in Russia – marking the deadliest salvo reported inside the country in more than two years.
    — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In the long term, the Dodgers’ trade for Skubal represents one more salvo in the looming battle over baseball’s finances and competitive balance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of salvo
Verb
  • When Alice starts to have a panic attack, Catherine slams her syringe into her neck.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Eduard Löwen played an inward-arcing corner kick and the 6-foot-1 Beecher slammed home a header from 5 yards out in the 27th minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of slam
Noun
  • The 2024 race pitted Scharf, then Trump’s personal attorney, against Bailey, who used his office to file a barrage of legal briefs in support of the Republican president.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In IconArrows pointing outwards Meanwhile, the daily barrage of news and headlines continue.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of barrage
Verb
  • Mills was grabbed and scolded by defensive coordinator Aden Durde for his obvious no-no.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Dodge the question, scold the critics and kick the can down the road.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of scold
Noun
  • Their verbal volley is interrupted as each of them frantically googles quotes and facts on everything from the Zionist leader Jabotinsky to the American actor Jordan Peele.
    — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Messi made an impact early, scoring an equalizer in the 11th minute on a volley off a long cross from Noah Allen after Inter Miami had fallen behind following a sluggish start.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of volley
Verb
  • The two proceed to deceive each other, insult each other’s appearances, and abandon each other in precarious situations.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • At the time, TMZ reported that the fight started when the other inmate, whose identity was not made public, insulted the rapper.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • East and West are once again locked in a life-and-death confrontation, even as Putin fires off a fusillade of threats to launch nuclear missiles against any Western power that comes to Ukraine’s aid.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Iran’s military said the fusillade was a warning.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Definition of fusillade

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Cite this Entry

“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of potshot for Spanish Speakers

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