shotgun 1 of 3

Definition of shotgunnext

shotgun

2 of 3

noun

shotgun

3 of 3

verb

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 shotgun
Adjective
In 2019, in non-shotgun formations, Jackson had 19 drop-backs and combined with Ravens running backs for 27 carries, according to Sports Info Solutions. Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 3 June 2021 Lunch and registration begin at 11 a.m., with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Post-Tribune, 7 July 2017
Noun
Then the Bears shifted — all three tight ends out wide and Williams to the shotgun, a master chess move that singled Loveland up to the left against Packers linebacker Nick Niemann, who during the regular season hadn’t played a defensive snap. Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026 This was a legit boss battle that required more shotgun blasts and careful observation of the environment. Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Westman had decorated the assault rifle and shotgun with hate speech in ways that aligned with the dark underbelly of alt-right meme culture that regularly disparages people of color, Jewish people, the LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shotgun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shotgun
Noun
  • His 134 men were armed with musket, cartridge pouch, and sword in case of a hostile encounter, and the Africaansche Galey lay close by with a couple of small cannon brought forward on the bow.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The printing press, clocks, muskets — all these inventions changed humankind forever.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • At first, Hollywood didn't entirely know what to do with O'Hara and her scattershot style.
    ANDREW DALTON, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Hollywood didn’t entirely know what to do with O’Hara and her scattershot style.
    Jessica Schladebeck, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Jackson was charged with a felony for simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm and felony drug possession.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Federal agents in tactical gear, carrying firearms, moved in on the park, walking in a straight line, side by side, some on horseback, as news helicopters hovered above and nearby demonstrators jeered at them.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Despite the humor Stiller brings to all of his projects, the physical comedy was anything but accidental.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
  • This ambiguity is not accidental.
    Marc Schneier, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • With feverish speed and characteristic blunderbuss, President Donald Trump has given the federal government – and himself – unprecedented control over private economic decisions.
    Matthew Mitchell, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Trump would also stop treating the Europeans as enemies with his blunderbuss tariffs.
    Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Police said three of the guns had been reported stolen, and one handgun was equipped with a machine-gun conversion device.
    Sergio Candido, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Their recording was a kinetic thrashathon with machine-gun-fast guitar notes and solos and Hetfield’s convincing screams for mercy.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Police have started planning for next year’s New Year’s events, including traffic control and celebratory random gunfire, Comeaux said.
    Timia Cobb Breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Powering through the memory shortage Memory costs — primarily referring to DRAM, or dynamic random access memory used for temporary, short-term semiconductor memory and NAND used for long-term storage — have soared over the past year due to rising compute needs from AI data centers.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Presumably that meant plastic pistols were nonstarters.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • One video appears to show a Border Patrol officer removing a pistol from Pretti’s waistband after he had been pinned to the ground by other agents.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shotgun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shotgun. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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