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
On paper, Wilson sounded like a shoo-in.
—
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 17 Nov. 2025
What if last year's AL Cy Young Award winner, and likely favorite this year, were paired in a starting rotation with the pitcher who seems to be shoo-in for the Cy Young in the National League this year, and who placed third in the 2024 voting?
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
As recently as three weeks ago, the Miami Hurricanes appeared to be a shoo-in for the 12-team College Football Playoff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
If the race was based on network air time, Moulton would be a shoo-in.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoo-in
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 17 Nov. 2025
What if last year's AL Cy Young Award winner, and likely favorite this year, were paired in a starting rotation with the pitcher who seems to be shoo-in for the Cy Young in the National League this year, and who placed third in the 2024 voting?
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
As recently as three weeks ago, the Miami Hurricanes appeared to be a shoo-in for the 12-team College Football Playoff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
If the race was based on network air time, Moulton would be a shoo-in.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoo-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoo-in
Noun
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While the outside world locks into the exhilarating highlights, Johnson drills down on the nuances.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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After turning the lock with his teeth and tongue, Dawson pushes open the front door and walks out into the night.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Erling Haaland’s extraordinary goal output aside, the old certainties have been missing.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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Unlike a seventh victory of the season, a 955th catch while wearing a Chargers lightning bolt on the sides of his helmet seems almost like a certainty.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The one sure thing is that flu cases are on the rise nationwide, a trend that will persist throughout the holiday season.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
23 Dec. 2025
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Avatar, Wicked, and Zootopia were all sure things, but that doesn't mean Song Sung Blue can't surprise us all.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
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To keep the dress from swallowing you whole, cinch at the waist with a thick belt.—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
4 Jan. 2026
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These cookies are crowdpleasers and a cinch to make in a pinch.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shoo-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoo-in. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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