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
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
Instead, Trump took a number of potshots at his sometime opponent during a Tuesday press conference, less than 48 hours after ordering the Bureau of Prisons to reopen Alcatraz
as a federal penitentiary.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 7 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
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
Instead, Trump took a number of potshots at his sometime opponent during a Tuesday press conference, less than 48 hours after ordering the Bureau of Prisons to reopen Alcatraz
as a federal penitentiary.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 7 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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The woman told officers that at some point, Morehead came back and brutally attacked her, including punching her in the face and stomach and dragging her back inside.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Two minutes later, Towns attacked Onyeka Okongwu off the dribble for a dunk.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The spending proposal for fiscal year 2027 is the opening salvo in a multi-month budget process.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The executive arrived at the studio following its acquisition by David Ellison’s Skydance last year, the opening salvo in Ellison’s media empire-building efforts that have dominated discussions of the future of movies and television news.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crash happened Monday along Highway 65 in Franklin County, where officials say the vehicle left the roadway, crossed into the opposite lane and slammed into a tree line before catching fire.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
When Daisy slams the bedroom door in frustration, June can’t help but smile at the cliched rebellion.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Russia has thus far been able to launch more drones and missiles into Ukraine, with Ukrainian leaders citing Moscow's nightly barrages as a severe threat to the country's strategic position.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The north especially has been affected by what locals have described locals as nonstop barrages, especially since Hezbollah joined the war.—
Max Burman,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the second player protested the contact, Nicholson scolded the player, according to one parent.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
-
What starts as a playful, casual parlor game suddenly turns incredibly dark, not just because of Emma’s confession but by Rachel’s sudden turn from loyal friend to judgmental scold.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Trooper, which sells a 75-item box equipped with water pouches, meal bars, and a hand-crank radio, designed to sustain a family of four for 72 hours, built its kits after the 2024 floods but has found an altogether different audience since the missile and drone volleys started, AGBI reported.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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Mosquera slammed home a volley from outside the area off a clearance attempt to tie it 1-1 in the 36th minute and fed Da Costo for a first-touch finish from point-blank range give the Timbers a 2-1 lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And Cora is so good at threading needles on these issues, as in communicating his wishes without insulting this or that player.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Saariaho never once loses control of momentum and never insults her own tastefulness.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While the latest fusillade of ambiguity couldn’t have come at a worse time for the advertising market—brands have yet to register their budgets for the 2026-27 upfront bazaar, in which they’re expected to commit to some $17 billion in broadcast and cable inventory—early sports sales remain brisk.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Fertilizer companies — Shares of fertilizer companies resumed their climb after a tanker was struck near the Strait of Hormuz and Iran launched a fusillade of attacks on the United Arab Emirates' energy infrastructure.—
Fred Imbert,Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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