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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Example Sentences
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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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In severe cases, the virus can attack parts of the brain that control basic life functions like eye movement, heart rate and blood pressure, causing permanent damage.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Ukraine's air force said that Russia attacked overnight with one ballistic missile and 146 strike drones, 103 of which were shot down or destroyed using electronic warfare.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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China isn’t likely to respond to Trump’s tariff salvo.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
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The episode ends with the tourney’s opening salvo.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On June 7, 2024, the Wisconsin driver of a Ford 150 slammed into it at 78 miles per hour.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Police previously confirmed that the two teenage girls had been riding on a sled being pulled by a 16-year-old male in a Jeep Wrangler when the sled struck a curb and slammed into a tree.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Eleven years ago, Tom Brady was buried on the same field under a barrage of sacks, hits and hurries in an upset that sprung the Broncos to the Super Bowl.—
Andrew Callahan,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
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The scandal erupted at the end of last year when the AI chatbot churned out a barrage of digitally undressed images of women and children in response to requests from users.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The president himself scolded a New York Times reporter for asking about the cost and whether Amazon was seeking to get in his good graces.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
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Crucially, the film avoids the trap of scolding younger generations or romanticizing the past.—
Beandrea July,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There would be a few more grins that morning, including one when Michelsen missed an easy volley.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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Video shows Husien falling to the ground, and moments later being driven over by a police SUV, which was followed by another volley of police gunfire.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Claims otherwise insult the intelligence of the American public.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
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The International Chess Federation filed a formal complaint against Kramnik in November, accusing him of harassment and insulting the dignity of fellow players.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But Trump’s relationship with Musk eventually dissolved, resulting in Musk’s departure in May and a fusillade of disparaging messages between the two men on social media.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
30 Dec. 2025
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The woman accused of driving a U-Haul truck at security personnel outside Coast Guard Island last month — moments before authorities unleashed a fusillade of bullets at the vehicle — was formally charged Tuesday in the chaotic encounter.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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