long shot
noun
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
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
Schmitz knows winning the 7th District is a long shot.
—
Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 24 June 2024
Dolan’s chances at unseating her are a long shot, given Ocasio-Cortez won 74.6% of the vote in her last primary challenge in 2020.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 June 2024
Winn has been endorsed by Cindy Biggs, wife of the sitting Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.
Winn’s candidacy is a long shot.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024
Unfortunately, when a plant gets to this stage ... recovery is a long shot.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for long shot 
Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 24 June 2024
Dolan’s chances at unseating her are a long shot, given Ocasio-Cortez won 74.6% of the vote in her last primary challenge in 2020.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 June 2024
Winn has been endorsed by Cindy Biggs, wife of the sitting Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.
Winn’s candidacy is a long shot.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024
Unfortunately, when a plant gets to this stage ... recovery is a long shot.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for long shot
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'long shot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near long shot
Cite this Entry
“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
long shot
noun1
: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share