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
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
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
Verb
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In fact, the Sixers will be better equipped to attack this Knicks flaw if Embiid can return at any point in the series.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
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In one of the evening’s most striking moments, Raman accused Bass and Pratt of working together to attack her.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The Ducks bookended the game with a rousing opening salvo and a four-goal third period.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
An upset could be a significant salvo in the battle for the soul of the country.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The world’s second largest economy has been relatively insulated from the historic global oil crisis slamming its neighbors – including key regional US allies – due to China’s huge oil reserves, its high level of energy self-sufficiency and its early shift to green energy.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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These shards travel billions of light-years across the universe and slam into Earth’s atmosphere.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Of course, Edgecombe, who’d held Brunson to less than 42% shooting from the field during individual regular-season matchups, led the defensive charge in a 27-point barrage from the Knicks’ captain through the opening two quarters alone.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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The White House's aggressive policy moves have prompted a barrage of lawsuits — more than 700 and counting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Katie Porter scolded, Tom Steyer channeled Bernie.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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The victim said he was singled out for laughing, scolded, and told to continue reading before being ordered into the hallway.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Esmee Brugts easily cut inside Giulia Gwinn to deliver the cross for Pajor to score with a volley.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Then, two minutes later, just after coming off the bench, 39-year-old Suarez doubled the lead with a decisive, powerful volley to the same corner.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Over just four days this month, Milei, an avid user of X, wrote 86 posts taunting and insulting journalists, according to an analysis of his feed between April 2 and 5 by prominent Argentine daily La Nación.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Late at night, the staff are known for insulting anyone brave enough to step up to the counter.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But the two leading Democratic candidates endured a fusillade of incoming fire from opponents who still hope to claim one of the two spots in a runoff, following the June 2 primary election.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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Every stentorian chord became a hammer blow, flourishes intensified into fusillades, a tense pause into an apocalypse.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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