shots

plural of shot
1
as in firings
a directed propelling of a missile by a firearm or artillery piece cannon operators often had to use several shots to figure out the range of their targets

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2
3
as in photos
a picture created from an image recorded on a light-sensitive surface by a camera took a shot of his family for the scrapbook

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4
as in shooters
a person skilled in shooting at a target a soldier who's an excellent shot with a rifle

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5
as in sips
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time drank a shot of whisky

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6
as in guesses
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence I have no idea what's different about you, but I'll take a shot: you cut your hair?

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7
as in opportunities
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place we have a real shot at getting into the championship if we win this next match

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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 shots No injuries, shots reported Espinosa faced several charges in the crash, including reckless homicide, failure to stop after a fatal crash and operating a vehicle while never licensed, but fled the state and has been on the run since. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025 After a few tries, even beginners can pull cafe-quality espresso shots. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025 The post featured a series of wedding photos, including shots of the newlyweds embracing and kissing with the fireworks as their backdrop. Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 The first point of the game really set the tone and is arguably one of the shots of the year. Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 Across six Premier League matches this season, Newcastle have failed to score in half and have been unable to muster more than four shots on target in a single game. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 The Coast Guard crew fired warning shots, but the boat kept going, so the crew fired 15 pepper-ball rounds. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025 Murray’s shots and scoring declined last season amid the additions of DeRozan and LaVine. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025 Hernandez Santana then drove to the front of the station and fired three shots into the building’s lobby, prosecutors said. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shots
Noun
  • In the leadup to the deadline to fund the government this week, the White House directed agencies to prepare for mass firings in the event that Congress couldn’t reach a deal, rather than furloughing those not deemed essential as in past shutdowns.
    Connor Greene, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Of the 55 firings, 18 resulted in the school finding itself in the AP Poll sometime in the following season.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Nix, through three quarters, had completed only one of his eight pass attempts of 10 or more air yards, according to TruMedia.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • New data reported to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Framed black and white photos of her now-adult children as youngsters hang along one wall, serving as a sweet reminder of days past.
    Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Netflix has also released a series of first-look photos from the series; read on to get a first look, and give us your first impressions in a comment below.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The idea of putting the team’s two best and highest-volume shooters on the floor together with Antetokounmpo is tantalizing, but both players only stand 6-foot-4.
    Eric Nehm, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The deputies followed the sound of gunfire and came across three target shooters, the sheriff’s report said.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The key to delicious sips in the fall is leaning into the local ingredients of the season.
    Essence, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
  • During Prohibition, waiters famously slipped sips of bootleg booze to patrons from flasks tucked inside their apron pockets.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Don’t rely on ballpark guesses in place of a real CMA.
    Mary Beth Eastman, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Hilton hasn’t announced the pooch's name just yet, but fans offered up their guesses in the comments of her Instagram and TikTok posts.
    Marissa G. Muller, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The puck needs to be on their stick as much as possible, with the new coach’s philosophies aimed at creating more opportunities to play fast, attack in transition and generate extra possessions.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • But others, especially in the small modular reactor (SMR) field, are now making forays into the public market, creating new opportunities and risks for retail investors.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After a few tries, even beginners can pull cafe-quality espresso shots.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The teams took turns stopping each other on fourth-down tries.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Shots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shots. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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