View synonyms for

shootout

[ shoot-out ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a gunfight that must end in defeat for one side or the other, as between gunfighters in the Old West, criminal groups, or law-enforcement officers and criminals.
Slang. any military conflict or skirmish.
Slang. a high-scoring or intensely played game or tournament, as of basketball or ice hockey.
Soccer. a method of breaking a tie score at the end of overtime in which five players from each team alternate shooting at the opponent's goal, starting from a spot 35 yards (39 meters) from the goal line, in an attempt to kick the ball past the rival goalkeeper in under five seconds.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of shootout¹

1945–50; noun use of verb phrase shoot ( it ) out to settle a dispute with firearms

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Although it is set in an unnamed US city, all of it - including car chases and shootouts - was filmed in Wales.

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Indeed, they've only lost once in all competitions in 2024-25, beaten in a penalty shootout by Reims in the last 32 of the Coupe de France.

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The Flames, meanwhile, will miss the playoffs for the third season in a row after being eliminated earlier in the week in a shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

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Penalties looming, six weeks after suffering shootout elimination in the FA Cup.

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"The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded," Mr Fumba said.

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Related Words

bout

shoot oneself in the foot shoot out

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