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.
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Recent Examples of potshot
Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
The potshots continue Despite the tariff truce, both sides have continued to take swipes at each other in other areas, underscoring the fragility of the strained ties.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Or, at the very least, some positive signs that ease Messi’s annoyance, end the slew of disappointing results and give Beckham’s patience some respite from social media potshots by jubilant rivals.
—Martin Rogers, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Taking a potshot is a 90-day misdemeanor, plus fines.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Noun
Set in New Mexico and starring Joaquin Phoenix as a conservative small-town sheriff squaring off with Pedro Pascal’s liberal mayor, the film takes potshots across political divides, nailing some targets better than others.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
The potshots continue Despite the tariff truce, both sides have continued to take swipes at each other in other areas, underscoring the fragility of the strained ties.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Or, at the very least, some positive signs that ease Messi’s annoyance, end the slew of disappointing results and give Beckham’s patience some respite from social media potshots by jubilant rivals.
—Martin Rogers, New York Times, 12 May 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
Verb
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On Thursday, Iran’s new Supreme Leader said that his country would keep closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane through which about a fifth of the world’s oil flows, and more vessels in the Persian Gulf were attacked, including two oil tankers that were set ablaze off the coast of Iraq.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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Iran attacked two oil tankers off the coast of Iraq overnight, setting them ablaze.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mohammad Pakpour, the most recent IRGC chief, was among those killed during the opening salvo, and it’s believed that Ahmad Vahidi, who had been named deputy chief in December, has taken the reins.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
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In line with the assessment’s findings, Iran’s leading clerics on Sunday chose a new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, to succeed his father, who was killed in the war’s opening salvo.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But a final autopsy report determined there was no link between the fight — during which Mejia appeared to slam her head into a wall — and her death.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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The collision sent the fire truck careening into an Access-a-Ride bus, which in turn slammed into a Lexus SUV, police said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Reporting from Tel Aviv Tehran unleashed a heavy barrage of missile and drone attacks directed at oil facilities across the region, in what Arab officials tell NBC News is a strategy to drive up oil prices to create pressure for a ceasefire.—
Yarden Segev,
NBC news,
9 Mar. 2026
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The opening barrage killed Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At one point her mother, Ri Sol Ju, appears to gently scold her for some transgression as Kim watches with a broad smile.—
Jen Kwon,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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But Saxon said Ye kept him constantly on edge, demanding photo updates of construction work, scolding him for wearing blue instead of the all-black worker uniform Ye preferred, and suddenly adding 24/7 security duties to his workload.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The panel was leaning toward convicting Murillo on all charges in connection with the incident, which saw the now former detective fire a volley of bullets at a fleeing suspect, Nicholas Carrillo, severing his spine.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The French icon made his last save during seven minutes of second-half stoppage time, denying Dallas forward Petar Musa’s volley near the penalty spot with a diving two-handed parry to preserve the victory and his 26th shutout in 68 regular season appearances.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Giving these rewards is logistically difficult, expensive for the teacher, and insulting for the kid.—
Scott Ervin,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
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She was detained in September and charged with posting propaganda critical of the Islamic Republic on social media and insulting its Supreme Leader and Islam, according to her son Reza Zarrabi, a political activist who lives in Germany.—
Philip Marcelo,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And to say its fusillade of jokes is hit-and-miss would also be a charitable take.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
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Fifteen ejected cartridge casings were left in the street when, prosecutors argue, Bell-Johnson stopped his fusillade.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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