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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Authorities are working to identify the owner of a dog that entered a Midlothian home and attacked a 1‑year‑old child and an adult, leaving them bloodied and the child hospitalized with severe injuries.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Banchero’s ball The Magic forward attacked downhill early and often to notch 10 points in the opening quarter and a team-high 18 in the first half.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The United Arab Emirates said on Sunday its air defenses were dealing with the latest salvo of incoming missiles.—
Garrett Downs,Azhar Sukri,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
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Israel was also under attack Friday, reporting a salvo of missiles from Iran.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On this postcard-perfect corner of Canada’s northeastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador that’s slammed by wind and waves, cod-fishing communities hold on to their distinctive settler history.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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On Sunday, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees slammed Congress for leaving Washington for the Easter/Passover break without reaching an agreement on funding DHS.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After a recent arrest in the long-dormant case, some agents say the barrage of threats persist — and not enough is done to protect them.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
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Other videos depict barrages of Iranian ballistic missiles raining down on Tehran’s enemies.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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The drama erupted last weekend when Jorginho went on Instagram Stories to say that his stepdaughter and wife were scolded at the São Paulo hotel for getting too close to Roan.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Angharad James-Turner’s 18th-minute volley found the net off the palm of KC goalkeeper Lorena.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
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He was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri, who scored with a neat half-volley from Igor Paixão's left-wing cross.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cease insulting allies and encourage mediation by Pakistan and Turkey.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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The characters don’t know, and the real-life writing staff, Fogelman seems to suggest, won’t insult our intelligence by pretending to.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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But in his own primary night speech, Talarico sought to brace his supporters for the fusillade of attacks that would be coming his way.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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