as in lock
one that is certain to succeed
a shoo-in for the position of secretary of state
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Recent Examples of shoo-in
Meanwhile, forward Tomas Nosek (Czechia) likely would have been a shoo-in as well if not for an offseason knee injury that has kept him out of action all season.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
Palm Springs Has Still Got It This desert enclave has long been many things at once—a spa town, a sanctuary away from Hollywood's prying eyes, a design capital, a shoo-in for winter sun.
—Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Finally, in 2023-24, after establishing himself as an elite AHL defenceman, Heinola appeared to be a shoo-in to become an everyday NHL defender.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The first up to consider would be Sammy Omosigho, a transfer from Oklahoma, who, out of all the returning Bruins and transfer portal additions, is arguably the most shoo-in starter on the defense.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shoo-in
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
Palm Springs Has Still Got It This desert enclave has long been many things at once—a spa town, a sanctuary away from Hollywood's prying eyes, a design capital, a shoo-in for winter sun.
—Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Finally, in 2023-24, after establishing himself as an elite AHL defenceman, Heinola appeared to be a shoo-in to become an everyday NHL defender.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The first up to consider would be Sammy Omosigho, a transfer from Oklahoma, who, out of all the returning Bruins and transfer portal additions, is arguably the most shoo-in starter on the defense.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shoo-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoo-in
Noun
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Just like most portable lock boxes, this one is secured with a three-digit code and comes with a lengthy adjustable steel cable that can’t be cut or broken.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
-
An operator locks in on the drone using an ordinary X-Box controller.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But even the certainty of heaven did not quiet my father’s worry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
-
That certainty proved well-founded.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The only sure thing at safety still on the roster is up-and-coming third-year player Cole Bishop, who was one of the team’s best defenders in the second half of the season.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Chalamet, while Marty’s best bet, has lately looked like less of a sure thing, while a win for Byrne would be a pleasant surprise in a race that pundits long ago ceded to Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Also dubbed as the balloon jean, barrel hems are intentionally curved–roomy through the leg with a subtler taper and cinch at the ankle.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
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Bed-in-a-box brands like Bear make ordering new mattresses a cinch.—
Kristi Kellogg,
Architectural Digest,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shoo-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoo-in. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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