long shot

[lawng shot, long] / ˈlɔŋ ˌʃɒt, ˈlɒŋ /

NOUN

unlikely winner

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fluke

WEAK

chance hit hundred-to-one shot little chance long odds lucky shot no chance off-chance one in a million outside chance poor bed slim chance small chance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They thought it was a long shot at best that he’d come watch them play.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

Lorraine Ali concurs: “I’m rooting for long shot Patricia Arquette, who was unforgettable as the matriarch.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

All it has to do now, after beginning the season as a 150-1 long shot, is avoid defeat in the last game of the season at Celtic on Saturday.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Trades on these markets, often exhibiting the long shot bias, routinely lose money, the Journal’s analysis found.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Semyonov knew it was a long shot, but he was desperate.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

long shot

Example Sentences

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