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
Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Since the Game 1 New York collapse at home, pundits and fans alike have been taking potshots at the Knicks.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 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
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
Since the Game 1 New York collapse at home, pundits and fans alike have been taking potshots at the Knicks.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 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
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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Two people came out of a nearby apartment and attacked the agent with a snow shovel and broom handle, federal authorities say.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
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The outlet also said that Rezaei maintained that Iran would abandon any notion of a ceasefire if attacked.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
16 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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He was placed in concussion protocol Monday night after slamming his head against the turf in the team's win over the Steelers.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
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An atmospheric river storm slammed into the coast of Central California and Southern California, dumping more than 10 inches of rain in parts of Big Sur with winds up to 90 mph.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Trump’s pressure campaign has included a barrage of personal insults at Powell, evolving into threats to fire the Fed chair.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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Newsom used the speech to continue the anti-Trump barrage that has boosted his national standing among Democratic activists.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday, when speaking to reporters at the White House, Vice President JD Vance scolded the media for not mentioning that the same ICE officer who shot Good was previously seriously injured during the car-dragging incident.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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This is not a bunch of people trying to scold for something that is a part of some kind of ideology.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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 17 Jan. 2026.
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