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
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Recent Examples of shot down
Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 95 Ukrainian drones overnight.
—
David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
Files released by the Justice Department last week show Epstein had drafted notes to and about the billionaire, suggesting Gates had engaged in extramarital affairs, although representatives for Gates have repeatedly shot down the allegations.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
During the sentencing hearing, Roth attempted to argue that the gun was never fired and no one was ever harmed, but Cannon shot down each argument.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Shahed-139 drone was shot down by an F-35C fighter jet from the Lincoln, which, according to Hawkins, was sailing about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast.
—Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Geopolitical tensions flare Markets extended their losses and volatility picked up after reports that the United States shot down an Iranian drone that had been approaching a US aircraft carrier.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Twenty-four were shot down over Russia's southwestern Krasnodar region, with 23 more shot down over the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2016.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
In 2005, British special military units lost 10 personnel when one of their C-130s was shot down outside the city.
—William H. McRaven, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
Files released by the Justice Department last week show Epstein had drafted notes to and about the billionaire, suggesting Gates had engaged in extramarital affairs, although representatives for Gates have repeatedly shot down the allegations.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
During the sentencing hearing, Roth attempted to argue that the gun was never fired and no one was ever harmed, but Cannon shot down each argument.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Shahed-139 drone was shot down by an F-35C fighter jet from the Lincoln, which, according to Hawkins, was sailing about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast.
—Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Geopolitical tensions flare Markets extended their losses and volatility picked up after reports that the United States shot down an Iranian drone that had been approaching a US aircraft carrier.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Twenty-four were shot down over Russia's southwestern Krasnodar region, with 23 more shot down over the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2016.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
In 2005, British special military units lost 10 personnel when one of their C-130s was shot down outside the city.
—William H. McRaven, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shot down
Verb
-
The move was ridiculed by lawyers outside Paul Weiss, and more than 140 alums of the firm signed a letter assailing it as well.—
Meg Kinnard,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
And for that, he was ridiculed.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Both Beijing and Hong Kong’s government have repeatedly rejected international criticism of Lai’s prosecution and dismissed accusations that his jailing was politically motivated or an assault on press freedom.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Karklin believes recreational flying and short-distance travel should not be dismissed.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These claims have been widely refuted by cancer experts, who have publicly stated that there is no scientific evidence or clinical trial data to support them at this time.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Local police and the city manager refuted the claims, saying there was no evidence to support them.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mexican authorities and fellow journalists say López Serrano likely ordered the hit because the journalist had mocked the young narco mercilessly in Ríodoce, the weekly co-founded by Valdez.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … LOGGED OFF – Harris mocked for 'cringe' social media rebrand attempt after failed White House bid.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pike was killed by head and neck trauma and was from Stamford, Connecticut, Teton County Coroner Brent Blue told the outlet.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
After Renee Good was shot and killed by a Customs and Border Protection agent in Minneapolis, Peak said more than 1,200 protested in the northwest Valley with just two days' notice.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The International Organization for Migration said the boat overturned Friday north of Zuwara, a city on the northwest coast of Libya that's about 180 miles from the Italian island of Lampedusa, which many migrants attempt to reach by boat from the African coastline.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Maxwell has also been seeking to have her conviction overturned, arguing that she was wrongfully convicted.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump subsequently condemned the image but refused to apologize.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Prior to her death, Phillips had refused meals over multiple days while in the Tarrant County Jail.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Another state law sought to require listing platforms to remove listings suspected of price gouging, but it was vetoed by Newsom in October.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Brodeur said the line-item that DeSantis vetoed last year was just about removing the dam.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shot down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shot%20down. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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