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
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 15 May 2025
Thankfully, Cronenberg is less interested in taking potshots at his vapid characters (played by the game likes of Julianne Moore, John Cusack, and Evan Bird channeling Shia LaBeouf) than in unearthing the sadness and madness that gnaws at their superficial dreams.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Soon, the pair are playing long-distance chess, air drumming, and taking competitive potshots at one another’s dishware.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 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
Noun
That and some other issues were indirect potshots at Newsom, who has occasionally bucked the unions.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 15 May 2025
Thankfully, Cronenberg is less interested in taking potshots at his vapid characters (played by the game likes of Julianne Moore, John Cusack, and Evan Bird channeling Shia LaBeouf) than in unearthing the sadness and madness that gnaws at their superficial dreams.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Soon, the pair are playing long-distance chess, air drumming, and taking competitive potshots at one another’s dishware.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 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
Verb
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Kyiv — Russia attacked Ukraine with a hypersonic Oreshnik missile overnight Thursday, a rare use of one of its most advanced weapons during the latest onslaught targeting the country amid freezing temperatures.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with 242 drones and 36 missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said Friday morning.—
Morgan Winsor,
ABC News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Ducks wedged a score between a pair of similar ones from San Jose in the opening salvo.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
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The storm front that crashed into the Bay Area early Wednesday morning marked the latest salvo in a week of turbulent weather, which began with a potent atmospheric river that drenched the area and broke a weeks-long run of abnormally-dry conditions.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Allen later slammed his right hand into the helmet of right guard O’Cyrus Torrence after releasing the ball.—
Mark Long,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
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Trump had repeatedly slammed Powell for cost overruns tied to the renovation.—
Elizabeth Schulze,
ABC News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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On Tuesday, the couple closed their store for a week, fearing for the safety of their employees after a barrage of complaints.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
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In the third quarter, Seguin scored twice to extend the scoring barrage to 23-0.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), was seen scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico, ahead of the 74th Miss Universe competition being held in Bangkok later this month.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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No doubt many grandmothers will want to scold us, but the truth is, soap isn't going to destroy your cast iron pans.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Alas responded with a volley of gunfire that struck the armored vehicle and ran away before officers returned fire.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Soleimani’s killing was the opening volley of that new world order, and from there, everything could be justified.—
Séamus Malekafzali,
Washington Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But there’s a big difference between knowing that a relative is a pill and loving them through it and being rudely insulted by a relative and just sucking it up.—
Eric Thomas,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Jan. 2026
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Despite his mediator role, Rodríguez is also known for his explosive temperament, lashing out in Congress and publicly threatening and insulting members of the opposition.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
4 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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