1
as in ridiculed
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 dismissed
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 refuted
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
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 shot down
Moscow launched 810 drones and 13 missiles into the country, Ukraine's air force said, of which 747 drones and four missiles were shot down.
—
David Brennan, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
On June 5, 1984, amidst the Iran-Iraq War, Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s intercepted and shot down an Iranian F-4E and damaged a second one that violated Saudi Arabian airspace.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
While most were shot down by air defenses, 54 drones and nine missiles hit targets across Ukraine, the air force said.
—Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
The 2016 book tells the incredible true story of Arthur Meyerowitz, an American turret-gunner whose B-24 bomber was shot down over Vichy France in 1943.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Grenell’s deal reportedly included an extension for Chevron to export oil from Venezuela, a policy option that Rubio has shot down in the past.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 13 July 2025
David Brennan, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
On June 5, 1984, amidst the Iran-Iraq War, Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s intercepted and shot down an Iranian F-4E and damaged a second one that violated Saudi Arabian airspace.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
While most were shot down by air defenses, 54 drones and nine missiles hit targets across Ukraine, the air force said.
—Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
The 2016 book tells the incredible true story of Arthur Meyerowitz, an American turret-gunner whose B-24 bomber was shot down over Vichy France in 1943.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Grenell’s deal reportedly included an extension for Chevron to export oil from Venezuela, a policy option that Rubio has shot down in the past.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 13 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shot down
Verb
-
One of the primary barriers to feeling completely safe with your partner is the fear of being judged, mocked and ridiculed for being honest or opening up.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
In a new YouTube video (below), the 64-year-old Emmy winner recounted her relationship with Smith, the famed model and entertainment personality who was widely ridiculed by comedians and the media over her substance abuse and public demeanor prior to her 2007 death.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Spurs have, for now, dismissed takeover talk.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
His previous criminal history includes two violations of an abuse prevention order and a charge of destruction of property, all of which have been dismissed.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a response to the allegations obtained by PEOPLE, Phypers refuted the claims made by Richards' lawyers.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Through reps, Marr refuted Mozz’s claims.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lopez noted and mocked Johnson’s comments, sarcastically asking why the mayor didn’t blame it on other historic phenomena.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
During the jail call in question, Thug mocked Glo’s looks for being compared to Rihanna.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Evergreen High School is located about 20 miles from Columbine High School, the site of an infamous 1999 mass shooting that killed 12 students and a teacher.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Conservative commentator Will Cain observed a moment of silence on his Fox News show after a gunman shot and killed Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After being sentenced to 10 years in prison and spending some time behind bars — plus enduring a lengthy trial — Tortora’s conviction was eventually fully overturned by Italy’s Supreme Court in 1987 amid widespread belief that the TV host had been the victim of corrupt judges and prosecutors.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Court, without explanation, overturned a lower court ruling that found immigration agents engaged in racial profiling on the streets of Los Angeles.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In one practice, McCarthy refused to throw an easy short pass and opted instead to throw a deeper-developing route.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
While there was plenty of blame to go around following the Giants' 21-6 loss, head coach Brian Daboll seemingly refused to point the finger at Wilson despite his underwhelming performance.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez vetoed that opposition vote, and the building was designated historic.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But Polis vetoed it, in part because of Uber’s threat to leave.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shot down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shot%20down. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share