long shot

noun

ˈlȯŋ-ˌshät How to pronounce long shot (audio)
Synonyms of long shotnext
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
see also:
by a long shot

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
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.
Now, the Yellow Jackets are just hoping for bowl eligibility — and even that looks like a long shot. — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026 After Washe’s long shot went in through the legs of screening teammate Jeff Malott, Sennecke finished a strong passing sequence with Gauthier and Nikita Nesterenko. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 After Washe's long shot went in through the legs of screening teammate Jeff Malott, Sennecke finished a strong passing sequence with Gauthier and Nikita Nesterenko. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 But even so, Denno said a commutation from the governor is a long shot. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for long shot

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of long shot was in 1796

Rhymes for long shot

See All Rhymes for long shot

Browse Nearby Words

long-short story
long shot
longshucks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Long shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20shot. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

long shot

noun
ˈlȯŋ-ˌshät How to pronounce long shot (audio)
1
: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful
2
: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning

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