1
as in ridiculing
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter
nowadays the aging activist is routinely shot down in most quarters of the media and dismissed as an irrelevant crank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismissing
to reject by or as if by a vote
every one of my fund-raising ideas was shot down by the other club members
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in refuting
to prove to be false
the results of several studies shoot down the hypothesis that coffee causes heart attacks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shooting down
In total, Russia launched 88 long-range attack drones and one ballistic missile overnight, Ukraine’s air force said, with air defenses shooting down or jamming 79 of the drones.
—
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Iran has not directly claimed responsibility for shooting down the helicopter.
—
Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
The original Star Fox 64's Versus Mode featured up to four players as different members of Team Star Fox, competing by either shooting down each other or shooting down the most enemies.
—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
2 June 2026
The French fighters expended at least 80 MICA air-to-air missiles, an expensive and unsustainable way of shooting down relatively inexpensive Iranian drones.
—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Jordan reported shooting down a drone on Wednesday.
—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed an effort to extend the pre-eviction filing notice period by 15 days, weeks after shooting down a similar measure that would have extended the period by 30 days.
—
Wcco Staff,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
As the rookie in the studio, Kay wasn’t completely comfortable shooting down ideas, yet.
—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Boyington was a flying ace credited with shooting down 28 Japanese aircraft during the war.
—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Apr. 2026
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Iran has not directly claimed responsibility for shooting down the helicopter.
—
Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
The original Star Fox 64's Versus Mode featured up to four players as different members of Team Star Fox, competing by either shooting down each other or shooting down the most enemies.
—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
2 June 2026
The French fighters expended at least 80 MICA air-to-air missiles, an expensive and unsustainable way of shooting down relatively inexpensive Iranian drones.
—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Jordan reported shooting down a drone on Wednesday.
—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed an effort to extend the pre-eviction filing notice period by 15 days, weeks after shooting down a similar measure that would have extended the period by 30 days.
—
Wcco Staff,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
As the rookie in the studio, Kay wasn’t completely comfortable shooting down ideas, yet.
—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Boyington was a flying ace credited with shooting down 28 Japanese aircraft during the war.
—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shooting down
Verb
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For example, 'Blazing Saddles' and 'All in the Family' confronted bigotry by ridiculing prejudice.
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Speaking of which, when news broke Friday that much of the team’s equipment had been stolen, there was a nearly instantaneous social media ridiculing of the city.
Verb
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Integration Calling genomics the most powerful data asset in biopharma does not mean dismissing other data types.
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For now, Comcast is dismissing M&A talk, but there also is the matter of timing.
Verb
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The Whitney Houston estate is refuting Oprah Winfrey recalling that the late singer was high and fell off the stage during an appearance on her talk show.
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Two other retired judges later published their own piece refuting Gilliard’s contention.
Verb
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Second lady Usha Vance mocking The New York Times for reading political significance into her Old Navy maternity dress and the New York Knicks celebrating their NBA title were featured in last week's News Quiz.
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This patriotic anthem of the American Revolution originated as a favorite tune of British soldiers, who enjoyed its lyrics mocking American colonists.
Verb
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Murdaugh, once a powerful personal injury attorney in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, was convicted in 2023 of killing his wife, Maggie, 52, and their younger son, Paul, 22, at the family’s hunting estate in June 2021.
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Shiite and Sunni Muslims have been killing each other for centuries, and the status of women in some Muslims countries is deplorable.
Verb
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Amid touching on other touchy topics, Xavi also accused Laporta of vetoing Lionel Messi’s proposed 2023 return to the club.
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At the end of the day, Lamont’s record is signing the bills that the top 1% can tolerate, while vetoing the one that gives workers real power at the bargaining table.
Verb
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The lawsuit states that Kuka has singlehandedly caused irreparable harm to Boca View by refusing to abide by Florida law and the association’s own bylaws in order to further her self-serving agenda.
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While his blunt and disruptive approach can alienate others, the character illustrates that disruptive leaders often accelerate innovation by asking questions and refusing to accept the status quo.
Cite this Entry
“Shooting down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shooting%20down. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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