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.
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Recent Examples of potshot
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Or, at the very least, some positive signs that ease Messi’s annoyance, end the slew of disappointing results and give Beckham’s patience some respite from social media potshots by jubilant rivals.
—Martin Rogers, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Instead, Trump took a number of potshots at his sometime opponent during a Tuesday press conference, less than 48 hours after ordering the Bureau of Prisons to reopen Alcatraz
as a federal penitentiary.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
Taking a potshot is a 90-day misdemeanor, plus fines.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Noun
The potshots continue Despite the tariff truce, both sides have continued to take swipes at each other in other areas, underscoring the fragility of the strained ties.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Or, at the very least, some positive signs that ease Messi’s annoyance, end the slew of disappointing results and give Beckham’s patience some respite from social media potshots by jubilant rivals.
—Martin Rogers, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Instead, Trump took a number of potshots at his sometime opponent during a Tuesday press conference, less than 48 hours after ordering the Bureau of Prisons to reopen Alcatraz
as a federal penitentiary.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
Taking a potshot is a 90-day misdemeanor, plus fines.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for potshot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potshot
Verb
-
At that point, Cupe allegedly became agitated and attacked the bystander with a box cutter, slashing him across the chest.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Trump has also threatened to attack Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The United Arab Emirates said on Sunday its air defenses were dealing with the latest salvo of incoming missiles.—
Garrett Downs,Azhar Sukri,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Israel was also under attack Friday, reporting a salvo of missiles from Iran.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On this postcard-perfect corner of Canada’s northeastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador that’s slammed by wind and waves, cod-fishing communities hold on to their distinctive settler history.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
On Sunday, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees slammed Congress for leaving Washington for the Easter/Passover break without reaching an agreement on funding DHS.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After a recent arrest in the long-dormant case, some agents say the barrage of threats persist — and not enough is done to protect them.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Other videos depict barrages of Iranian ballistic missiles raining down on Tehran’s enemies.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the stunt goes south as Wooley turns out to be an unabashed bigot who embarrasses the show and gets scolded by the host.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This cross-partisan skit is refreshing and the only people who might hate it are Cuomo supporters and maybe some woke scolds.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Angharad James-Turner’s 18th-minute volley found the net off the palm of KC goalkeeper Lorena.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
He was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri, who scored with a neat half-volley from Igor Paixão's left-wing cross.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cease insulting allies and encourage mediation by Pakistan and Turkey.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The characters don’t know, and the real-life writing staff, Fogelman seems to suggest, won’t insult our intelligence by pretending to.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While the latest fusillade of ambiguity couldn’t have come at a worse time for the advertising market—brands have yet to register their budgets for the 2026-27 upfront bazaar, in which they’re expected to commit to some $17 billion in broadcast and cable inventory—early sports sales remain brisk.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Fertilizer companies — Shares of fertilizer companies resumed their climb after a tanker was struck near the Strait of Hormuz and Iran launched a fusillade of attacks on the United Arab Emirates' energy infrastructure.—
Fred Imbert,Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Potshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potshot. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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