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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in shooters
a person skilled in shooting at a target
a soldier who's an excellent shot with a rifle
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Photos of your veterans could be mug shots, family photos or gravestones.
—
Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
In his memoir, Bush recalled how the impression grew that Cheney was actually calling the shots in the White House.
—Time, 3 Nov. 2025
On multiple occasions, Turner’s comments in interviews have been interpreted as shots taken at the Pacers’ fans.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Mahomes had three shots to land a deep pass from the Bills’ 40 but didn’t hit on any.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
Consider a night out with friends, and the diverging consequences of buying a round of shots versus opening up Instagram.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Just as legendary as his triumphs have been his fist pumps, his reactions to good and bad shots, and his celebrations that roused the crowds.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The operation marked the first time shots were fired by NATO since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
In his memoir, Bush recalled how the impression grew that Cheney was actually calling the shots in the White House.
—Time, 3 Nov. 2025
On multiple occasions, Turner’s comments in interviews have been interpreted as shots taken at the Pacers’ fans.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Mahomes had three shots to land a deep pass from the Bills’ 40 but didn’t hit on any.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
Consider a night out with friends, and the diverging consequences of buying a round of shots versus opening up Instagram.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Just as legendary as his triumphs have been his fist pumps, his reactions to good and bad shots, and his celebrations that roused the crowds.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The operation marked the first time shots were fired by NATO since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shots
Noun
-
Requiring over 20 hours of fabrication time, this lustrous dial is produced via the application of numerous layers of vitreous enamel and multiple firings in a kiln measuring between 800 degrees and 900 degrees Celsius.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Over the past 10 months, EOIR has lost more than 125 judges to firings and voluntary resignations, down from about 700 judges at the start of the year.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Stars struggled to find the target on their three attempts against Sergei Bobrovsky in the shootout.—
Adam H. Beasley,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Shot attempts were 25-12, scoring chances were 11-5 and HD chances were 3-0.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Click here to see more photos of Mallorca’s most expensive home.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
-
See photos of the crash site by viewing our gallery.—
Stephanie Stremplewski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Offensively, the roster boasts a lot of willing shooters but fewer distributors.—
The Athletic College Basketball Staff,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Alabama’s roster also adds size and versatility through transfers like Noah Williamson, while returning shooters and athletes across the lineup support Oats’ up‑tempo, high‑spacing system.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Inside, guests watched the game discreetly between sips of Champagne.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
This is a deciduous vine that prefers a shady exposure, sips water, and will happily clamber up the branches of a native oak or any other tree.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Wrong guesses inspire changes in the connection strength between the neurons; this is gradient descent.—
James Somers,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
And leave your guesses for who will take the title in 2025 in the comments below!—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The smaller-sized vessels also give staff more flexibility to adapt itineraries based on weather and chances to spot wildlife, as well as other unique opportunities.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The union has argued that an election would extend an already prolonged process, and raises opportunities for complications and appeals.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since the start of last season, Matthews has scored two goals or more in a game only four times in 79 tries — once this season and three times in 67 games last season.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
On Tuesday, Betts had one hit in four tries – a little-and-late single with the Dodgers trailing by five runs in the eighth inning in a 6-2 Game 4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, who wound up doubling up Betts at second base one batter later.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shots. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share