shoots 1 of 2

Definition of shootsnext
present tense third-person singular of shoot
1
2
as in blasts
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force soldiers train extensively to learn to shoot accurately and quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
as in photographs
to take a photograph of shooting the lakeside scene while the light lasted

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
8
9

shoots

2 of 2

noun

plural of shoot

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 shoots
Verb
Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic in Game 7 in Detroit on Sunday. Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 4 May 2026 Ryo Ishikawa shoots a 12-under 58 — the lowest score on a major tour — to win The Crowns in Togo, Japan. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026 Ryan Giuffre with the machete moments before Giuffre shoots him twice. Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 1 May 2026 Near the end of the penultimate episode, Cashman confronts Blake about Urich, shoves him to the ground in a scuffle and shoots him dead. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026 Later on in the film, Jason shoots Allen in a gunfight. Ryan Brennan april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 The police officer then shoots the suspect in the leg. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026 In the annals of English football, this shoots close to the top of the list of ridiculous moments, along with Troy Deeney’s mad goal for Watford in the Championship play-offs in 2013 and Sergio Aguero’s Premier League title-winning strike for Manchester City in 2012. Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 And while the device shoots only low-resolution, B&W still images, when combined with audio-capture and Bluetooth connection to the internet for third-party facial recognition, the threat to privacy is obvious and massive. New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
Most are going to regrow short shoots along their trunks with normal growth at the tops. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026 Grass seed takes about 14 days to germinate, and during that period, the seeds are sitting on the surface of the soil waiting to put out shoots. Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026 Abutilon shoots are long and may touch the ground. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026 The firm is a notable provider of equipment, lighting, vehicle rental and other services for film and TV shoots and employer for below-the-line workers on projects. Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026 In The Lawn Part of the legume family, each low-growing clover plant has creeping stems (stolons) that produce roots and shoots at nodes along the stem, which helps the plant to spread. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026 This is also when the vineyards come alive, either with the first green shoots of spring or the golden glow of harvest. Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026 Filma Jalisco’s cash rebate also stood out as a tool to draw foreign shoots. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026 But there are green shoots amid the wasteland. Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoots
Verb
  • Since the city adopted the video release policy more than a decade ago, experience has repeatedly demonstrated the fallacy of limiting inquiry to the precise moment when a police officer fires their gun.
    Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Garcia is opening his car door at that very moment, and fires nine shots at Denis with his 9 mm Glock pistol as Denis speeds toward and past him.
    Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Residents in other cities in Mali reported gunfire and blasts on Saturday morning, suggesting a possible coordinated attack by armed groups.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Just ask McDonald’s mom and millions more fans as the song blasts from their dashboard speakers or TikTok videos.
    Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • What began as a one-off backyard show quickly evolved into a monthly live event series that pops up in local warehouses, art galleries and cocktail bars.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Raw milk legislation pops up across the nation Bills favoring raw milk have been introduced in the current legislative session in 18 states, including those controlled by Democrats and Republicans.
    Laura Ungar, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • David then rushes forward and punches Niemi in the back of the head at least twice, according to the video.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • The Flyers just don’t give up odd-man rushes.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The camera cross-references the sound spike with the exact moment a vehicle passes, photographs the plate, and generates the ticket automatically.
    Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Capturing an iconic image Murphy photographs all kinds of wildlife, especially the charismatic creatures of Yellowstone National Park.
    Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Based on the popular 1960s spy sitcom, this weak adaptation casts Steve Carell as a bumbling secret agent, with Hathaway as his more competent partner and developing love interest.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
  • The metaphor perfectly fits the 6-foot-5 Jordan, who casts an imposing figure on the mound.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There have been sometimes somebody shouts in protests.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • This grand procession of Edmonia’s work is an act of reclamation—a gathering in her name that shouts through stone and into the eons.
    Tyehimba Jess, ARTnews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Use a watering can or hose that sprinkles the water to evenly distribute it among the seeds.
    Heather Bien, The Spruce, 8 Apr. 2026
  • But for every shirt bearing a slogan, there were ten cheeks covered in (biodegradable) glitter like the kind that Diggins sprinkles on her face before every race.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoots. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on shoots

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster