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
The group wrapped up by sharing their favorite actual wins of the night, and agreeing that A) One Battle After Another is likely to be a frontrunner heading into the Oscars, and B) Timothée Chalamet is a shoo-in for best actor.
—
Chelsea Daniel, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
Upcoming redshirt senior cornerback Jaden Mickey, who transferred from Notre Dame ahead of the 2025 season, is likely a shoo-in starter, while redshirt senior Demetrius Freeney and junior Sherrod Smith could both play a significant role.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Bonds and Clemens would be shoo-ins for the Hall had their careers in MLB not been tainted by the accusations.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Isaacman is a private astronaut who has funded and commanded two SpaceX missions to Earth orbit, and was widely considered to be a shoo-in for administrator after his first hearing before the committee on April 9.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoo-in
Chelsea Daniel, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
Upcoming redshirt senior cornerback Jaden Mickey, who transferred from Notre Dame ahead of the 2025 season, is likely a shoo-in starter, while redshirt senior Demetrius Freeney and junior Sherrod Smith could both play a significant role.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Bonds and Clemens would be shoo-ins for the Hall had their careers in MLB not been tainted by the accusations.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Isaacman is a private astronaut who has funded and commanded two SpaceX missions to Earth orbit, and was widely considered to be a shoo-in for administrator after his first hearing before the committee on April 9.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoo-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoo-in
Noun
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As its name suggests, the Nivea cream contains the hero ingredient cocoa butter to deeply moisturize your skin and lock in hydration for days at a time.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
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Buckley appears to be the closest thing to a near-lock in any acting race.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Slight adjustments could be made in oxygen flow or the warmth of the incubator, but no one could predict with any certainty the impact of those actions.—
Steven Levingston,
Vanity Fair,
23 Feb. 2026
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Adaptability keeps us moving forward even when certainty is out of reach.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Is there any sure thing out there?—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In the Olympics, there are precious few sure things.—
Rick Maese,
Washington Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This festive two-layer cake is a cinch to pull off thanks to white cake mix.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
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Bill Belichick going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a cinch.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shoo-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoo-in. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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