shoo-in

noun

ˈshü-ˌin How to pronounce shoo-in (audio)
Definition of shoo-innext
as in lock
one that is certain to succeed a shoo-in for the position of secretary of state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 shoo-in If there were a Mount Rushmore for Air Jordan sneakers, the Air Jordan 11 would be a shoo-in for one of the four spots. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 If awards voters value horror or comedy, McAdams will be a shoo-in for her second career nomination (after getting recognized for 2015’s Spotlight). — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Not every piece of clothing is a shoo-in for Ripa’s approval though. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026 That film, which won the Silver Lion, was considered a shoo-in for the festival’s top award after its 22-minute standing ovation, which stands as the fest’s longest. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoo-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoo-in
  1. lock
  2. certainty
  3. sure thing
  4. cinch
Noun
  • Increasing numbers of household appliances are connected to the internet, including fridges, freezers, smart thermostats, central heating systems, locks and televisions.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 5 Nov. 2026
  • West’s signature long bright blue locks were left loose and hanging in a straight sheet with a middle part.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of lock
Noun
  • Hynes pledged to offer near certainty for developers seeking to build here.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Stock futures reversed initial losses and turned higher overnight as investors embraced the certainty offered by the decisive results.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of certainty
Noun
  • But even a confident owner should weigh what that takes against the sure thing on the table.
    — Ron Smith, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Doncic, Reaves and Kessler are the sure things, but the other two spots are not certain.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of sure thing
Noun
  • Democrats appear a cinch to win control of the House, but the Senate remains a toss-up.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As much as the Brewers now seem like a cinch to win their first title in the most expedient fashion available to them (Milwaukee enters Game 4 as -125 favorites), there’s always a chance the 2026 Rays may live to see another day.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of cinch

Browse Nearby Words

shone
shoo-in
shoo-ins
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoo-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoo-in. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gauntlet

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All