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
  • Somebody years ago should have realized NSA Bahrain could be attacked, its air defense might fail and it could be disabled in a long war.
    — John Seiler, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The meeting was not received well by many Democrats, who attacked Jeffries over it.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • The latest political salvo came earlier this month, when the nationalist Rodina party filed a lawsuit with Russia’s Supreme Court to disqualify the Yabloko faction from eligibility in the political contest.
    — Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of salvo
Verb
  • Previously, Vogel slammed Gayle King and Megyn Kelly for their recent criticism.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In one of the most memorable panels in superherocomic history, Bane, having beaten Batman down in his own Batcave, lifts the hero over his head and slams him down over his knee, breaking his back.
    — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of slam
Noun
  • Earlier this month, the air force stopped publishing the number of ballistic missiles fired or intercepted in Russia's nightly barrages.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Nolan’s father, Elmore Wonsley said his grieving family has also received online attacks — including a sudden barrage of negative reviews against his wife, a nurse practitioner, and vitriol from strangers.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of barrage
Verb
  • For over a year, the White House has scolded and threatened the Smithsonian.
    — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Some intergenerational sparring ensues, as Kevin scolds Arthur for his more outré boomer comments, and Arthur in turn sneers at his grandson’s millennial lameness.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of scold
Noun
  • The world’s strikers are going to have to reach deep into their bag of sweetly struck volleys, mazy solo goals and thundering free kicks to eclipse it.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Sam Junqua played an arcing first-touch cross from 35 yards out on the left side to the back post and Marczuk gently rolled in the volley.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of volley
Verb
  • Screenshots shared with The Charlotte Observer by Moore show that Bogan repeatedly messaged Reform Stables’ business associates or fellow event organizers with animal abuse allegations against the stable and Moore, and insulted him online.
    — Amber Gaudet Updated August 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026
  • To make the shame of export controls about sales lost is to insult the seriousness of the sales process.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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