long shot

noun

ˈlȯŋ-ˌshät How to pronounce long shot (audio)
Synonyms of long shotnext
1
: a venture involving great risk but promising a great reward if successful
also : a venture unlikely to succeed
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning
3
: a bet in which the chances of winning are slight but the possible winnings great
Phrases
by a long shot
: by a great deal

Examples of long shot in a Sentence

I hope to double my profits, but I know that's a long shot. The horse was a long shot, but we bet on him anyway. She always bets on long shots at the racetrack.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In January the American job market just finished up its four-year stint as the strongest in American history, by a long shot. — Eli Amdur, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 Between the courts taking forever, the Potawatomi taking advantage and Waukegan taking dunce lessons, the Full House development was starting to look like a long shot. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025 Oscars chaos: The last two tumultuous weeks have upended the awards race, leaving the favorite hobbled and long shots looking like bull’s eyes. — Natasha Frost, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025 The bill is a long shot given that Republicans control the House, albeit by only a slim three-vote margin. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for long shot

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of long shot was in 1796

Rhymes for long shot

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

long shot

noun
ˈlȯŋ-ˌshät How to pronounce long shot (audio)
1
: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning

More from Merriam-Webster on long shot

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