Kill shot: meaning, definitions and examples

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kill shot

 

[ kɪl ʃɒt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in warfare

A kill shot is a shot that is intended to kill or incapacitate an enemy, typically in a single hit.

Synonyms

deadly shot, fatal shot, lethal shot.

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Word Description / Examples
kill shot

Used in sports or competitive settings, particularly in games like billiards or archery, to describe a final decisive move or shot that ensures victory.

  • He made the kill shot and won the archery competition.
  • In pool, she lined up the perfect kill shot to sink the eight ball.
fatal shot

Specifically refers to a shot that causes death. Most commonly used in contexts like crime reporting, medical examinations, or discussions about serious accidents.

  • The coroner confirmed that the victim died from a fatal shot to the chest.
  • Witnesses say it was a fatal shot that ended the fight.
lethal shot

Focuses on the capability of the shot to cause death or serious injury, often used in medical, legal, or formal contexts.

  • The suspect was charged with administering a lethal shot from a firearm.
  • Doctors concluded that the lethal shot was administered at close range.
deadly shot

Describes a shot, often in a combat or dangerous situation, that has the potential to cause death or severe injury.

  • The sniper took a deadly shot from the rooftop.
  • His deadly shot during the duel left his opponent lifeless on the ground.

Examples of usage

  • The sniper took a kill shot from a distance of 500 meters.
  • A well-placed kill shot can end a battle quickly.
Context #2 | Noun

in sports

A kill shot is a powerful and strategically placed shot in sports such as volleyball or squash that is very difficult for the opponent to return.

Synonyms

decisive shot, winning shot.

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Word Description / Examples
kill shot

This term is often used in sports, particularly in games like racquetball, squash, or paintball, where a specific shot ends the match or secures a decisive point. It may also be used in a figurative sense to describe a critical move that ends a competition or conflict.

  • He made a perfect kill shot to win the racquetball match.
  • The team's strategy was like a kill shot to their opponents.
winning shot

This term is used to describe the shot that ultimately secures the victory in a game or match. It implies that this particular shot directly leads to the win.

  • He made the winning shot just as the buzzer rang.
  • Her winning shot clinched the championship for the team.
decisive shot

This phrase is generally used when referring to any shot that plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of a game or match. It indicates a moment of significant impact but does not necessarily imply the end of the game.

  • Her decisive shot from the three-point line gave the team an edge.
  • The decisive shot in the match shifted the momentum in their favor.

Examples of usage

  • He executed a perfect kill shot in the final moments of the match.
  • The kill shot secured the team's victory.

Translations

Translations of the word "kill shot" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tiro mortal

🇮🇳 मौत का शॉट

🇩🇪 Todesstoß

🇮🇩 tembakan mematikan

🇺🇦 смертельний постріл

🇵🇱 śmiertelny strzał

🇯🇵 致命的な一撃 (chimeiteki na ichigeki)

🇫🇷 coup mortel

🇪🇸 disparo mortal

🇹🇷 ölümcül atış

🇰🇷 치명적인 한 방 (chimyeongjeogin han bang)

🇸🇦 طلقة قاتلة

🇨🇿 smrtící střela

🇸🇰 smrtiaci výstrel

🇨🇳 致命一击 (zhìmìng yījī)

🇸🇮 smrtonosen strel

🇮🇸 banvænt skot

🇰🇿 өлім ату

🇬🇪 სასიკვდილო გასროლა

🇦🇿 ölümcül atəş

🇲🇽 disparo mortal

Etymology

The term 'kill shot' originated in the context of warfare, where it referred to a shot that would kill or incapacitate an enemy. Over time, the term has also been adopted in sports such as volleyball and squash to describe a powerful and strategically placed shot. The concept of a 'kill shot' embodies the idea of decisiveness and finality in achieving a desired outcome.