as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
The comic ended the show with a rant in which he potshot an assortment of celebrities.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 potshot
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024
Elsewhere, Trump took his now-familiar potshots at electric vehicle mandates, green energy, and Harris, drawing laughter from the crowd.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Oct. 2024
Bolstered by hubris and net worth, these billionaires have loudly aligned themselves with their preferred candidate, taken potshots at the opposition, and flogged their personal policy prescriptions—often in feisty social media spats with one another.
—Byalexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2024
Key bandmembers Waters and David Gilmour (pictured above right and left, respectively, in the early 1970s), have been feuding for decades, taking public potshots at each other while recently trying to find enough common ground to close a deal.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Noun
In Jackpot!, the potshots at the public at large are contrivances and conveniences — cheap shots designed to sell us on the film’s uninspired action high jinks and its clangingly dull comedy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024
Elsewhere, Trump took his now-familiar potshots at electric vehicle mandates, green energy, and Harris, drawing laughter from the crowd.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Oct. 2024
Bolstered by hubris and net worth, these billionaires have loudly aligned themselves with their preferred candidate, taken potshots at the opposition, and flogged their personal policy prescriptions—often in feisty social media spats with one another.
—Byalexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2024
Key bandmembers Waters and David Gilmour (pictured above right and left, respectively, in the early 1970s), have been feuding for decades, taking public potshots at each other while recently trying to find enough common ground to close a deal.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potshot
Verb
-
The case, which generated headlines around the world, comes amid rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.—
Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Despite losing all three, there were significant improvements collectively and individually, with contributions from attacking starlets Nico Paz, who scored against Atalanta, and Diao, who got the equaliser against Juventus.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Against this backdrop, the Trump administration’s early policy salvo is raising eyebrows—and stakes—at the Fed.—
Dan Irvine,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Aly Song | Reuters BEIJING — China has toughened its tone following the Trump administration’s opening salvo of trade tariffs.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Pino slammed the horn and floored the gas pedal, roaring into her backyard.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The move has sparked trade wars that could slam economic growth and lift prices for Americans still smarting from years of high inflation.—
Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Punk eliminated Paul via GTS, getting a modicum of revenge after Paul previously tossed him out of the Royal Rumble. Cena and Punk embraced in the middle of the ring before exchanging a barrage of punches.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Tesla sales have almost halved in Europe in January amid Musk’s work for Trump, his support for Germany’s AfD party and his barrage of social media attacks on the continent’s top politicians and left-wing groups.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Both fighters had been insulting each other throughout a heated press conference before things boiled over on stage.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
-
About time people from the US come to understand how insulting this has been.—
Joshua Kloke,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
To be sure, the initial product volley — 55 lipsticks, 10 lip balms and eight eye palettes — would be enough to fill a small trunk, the most emblematic product of the French luxury giant, which was established in 1854.—
Miles Socha,
WWD,
5 Mar. 2025
-
But the 2024 numbers showed that such a stereotype is being put away like a Serena Williams volley.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
However, the voice resembling Smith Sr.’s goes silent for the remainder of the phone call, as Martinez continues to scold him for his actions.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Shakira storms off Miami nightclub stage after appearing to scold clubgoer for filming up her dress The title of the tour is taken from the singer's 12th studio album, released last year and the first since 2017's El Dorado.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Moldy pasta and sauce at a Broward gas station cafeteria A fusillade of Stop Sales hit the food in the sushi station refrigerator, where food needed to be at or below 41 degrees to keep away bacteria breeding grounds.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Image Image Image Since taking office less than a month ago, Mr. Trump has launched a fusillade of trade actions, including an order on Thursday for his advisers to come up with new tariff levels that take into account a range of trade barriers.—
Keith Bradsher,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to potshot
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share