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
  • Okot applied that advice by limiting unnecessary dribbles and attacking the basket more efficiently.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
  • With attacking talent aplenty – including star man Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola – Zidane will have to figure out a way to find harmony among his forward options.
    — Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Iran’s latest salvo has also prompted travel restrictions and stark warnings from foreign consulates.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Martínez-Olguín’s order came after a hearing in Oakland on Friday that represented an opening salvo between the two sides in the fight over a merger that would dramatically reshape the entertainment industry.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of salvo
Verb
  • Even slamming the door of the Mercedes is a subdued event with its soft-close doors.
    — Sasha Lekach, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • After the judge’s ruling Monday, the lawyer representing Rivas’ parents slammed the defense for suggesting Rivas caused her own death.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2026
Definition of slam
Noun
  • But the night ended in a barrage of bullets after Hicks broke free from Smith and Harris, who had pinned her to the ground, according to the document.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Brittin and members of his top team were confronted with a barrage of unhappy questions from employees, who fired shots at plans for a below-inflation 1% pay rise, voiced anxiety about 2,000 layoffs, and lamented the low morale among colleagues.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 July 2026
Definition of barrage
Verb
  • In one snap, the President, viewed from above, points his finger crossly, as if scolding a scrum of unruly children.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • Kirson remembered, adding that, minutes later, the show’s production team scolded her.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Definition of scold
Noun
  • Sean Johnson parried a shot by Jonathan Osorio but Corbeanu slammed home a volley that deflected off Johnson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • The Geopolitical Angle This is the latest volley in what has become a global AI arms race.
    — Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of volley
Verb
  • The struggle for reparations on the African continent is ongoing, and survivors are being insulted by the failure to implement comprehensive reparations programs that are due.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
  • Iran's government denied involvement in the 2022 stabbing, but its Foreign Ministry's then-spokesperson suggested Rushdie invited trouble by insulting Islam.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • Iran’s military said the fusillade was a warning.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • The world now knew that the Biden administration had offered to evacuate Zelenskyy from Kyiv as invading Russian forces closed in on Ukraine's capital following a savage fusillade of airstrikes on cities and military bases around Ukraine.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 21 May 2026
Definition of fusillade

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Cite this Entry

“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of potshot for Spanish Speakers

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