shotgun 1 of 3

Definition of shotgunnext

shotgun

2 of 3

noun

shotgun

3 of 3

verb

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 shotgun
Adjective
In 2019, in non-shotgun formations, Jackson had 19 drop-backs and combined with Ravens running backs for 27 carries, according to Sports Info Solutions. Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 3 June 2021 Lunch and registration begin at 11 a.m., with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Post-Tribune, 7 July 2017
Noun
About Hole Doughnuts Hole Doughnuts opened in a shotgun-style house between the French Broad River and Historic West Asheville in 2014. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026 Her 16-year-old stepson was able to grab the shotgun and fire two rounds at the suspect. Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Westman had decorated the assault rifle and shotgun with hate speech in ways that aligned with the dark underbelly of alt-right meme culture that regularly disparages people of color, Jewish people, the LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shotgun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shotgun
Noun
  • Then the French started to standardize their muskets.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
  • His 134 men were armed with musket, cartridge pouch, and sword in case of a hostile encounter, and the Africaansche Galey lay close by with a couple of small cannon brought forward on the bow.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • At first, Hollywood didn't entirely know what to do with O'Hara and her scattershot style.
    ANDREW DALTON, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Hollywood didn’t entirely know what to do with O’Hara and her scattershot style.
    Jessica Schladebeck, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Prosecutors accused the parents of allowing their son access to the firearm and ignoring warnings about his declining mental health and risk to others.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Current owners can keep their firearms and sell them to dealers.
    Cindy Camp, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • These pressures are not accidental.
    Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Why This Moment Matters The timing of this shift isn’t accidental.
    Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • With feverish speed and characteristic blunderbuss, President Donald Trump has given the federal government – and himself – unprecedented control over private economic decisions.
    Matthew Mitchell, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Trump would also stop treating the Europeans as enemies with his blunderbuss tariffs.
    Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Police said three of the guns had been reported stolen, and one handgun was equipped with a machine-gun conversion device.
    Sergio Candido, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Their recording was a kinetic thrashathon with machine-gun-fast guitar notes and solos and Hetfield’s convincing screams for mercy.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, a suitcase and a random assortment of clothes disappeared along with her.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
  • PlayStation consoles rely on a type of dynamic random access memory, or DRAM, chips, which are in short supply as demand from artificial intelligence and data center operators increases.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Video from a neighbor’s Ring camera shows a man identified by police as Soto pulling a pistol, then chasing Morello while continuing to shoot and pulling the trigger at least twice after Morello stumbles and falls to the ground.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The Investigative Committee said a Makarov pistol with a silencer was discovered at the scene.
    CNN's Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shotgun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shotgun. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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