Antonyms for shoot down

Grammar : Verb

Spell : shoot-doun

Phonetic Transcription : ˈʃutˌdaʊn

Definition of shoot down

Origin : Old English sceotan "to hurl missiles, cast; strike, hit, push; run, rush; send forth swiftly; wound with missiles" (class II strong verb; past tense sceat, past participle scoten), from Proto-Germanic *skeutanan (cf. Old Saxon skiotan, Old Norse skjota "to shoot with (a weapon); shoot, launch, push, shove quickly," Old Frisian skiata, Middle Dutch skieten, Dutch schieten, Old High German skiozan, German schießen), from PIE root *skeud- "to shoot, to chase, to throw, to project" (cf. Sanskrit skundate "hastens, makes haste," Old Church Slavonic iskydati "to throw out," Lithuanian skudrus "quick, nimble").
In reference to pool playing, from 1926. Meaning "to strive (for)" is from 1967, American English. Sense of "descend (a river) quickly" is from 1610s. Meaning "to inject by means of a hypodermic needle" is attested from 1914. Meaning "photograph" (especially a movie) is from 1890. As an interjection, an arbitrary euphemistic alteration of shit, it is recorded from 1934. Shoot the breeze "chat" first recorded 1941. Shoot-'em-up (adj.) in reference to violent entertainment (Western movies, etc.) is from 1942. Shoot to kill first attested 1867. Shoot the cat "to vomit" is from 1785. To shoot the moon originally meant "depart by night with ones goods to escape back rent" (1829).
O, 'tis cash makes such crowds to the gin shops roam,And 'tis cash often causes a rumpus at home ;'Tis when short of cash people oft shoot the moon ;And 'tis cash always keeps our pipes in tune.Cash! cash! &c.["The Melodist and Mirthful Olio, An Elegant Collection of the Most Popular Songs," vol. IV, London, 1829]

As in assault : verb attack
As in obliterate : verb destroy
As in oppugn : verb oppose
As in attack : verb assault verbally
As in refute : verb prove false; discredit
As in reject : verb say no to
As in repeal : verb declare null and void
As in shame : verb disgrace, embarrass
As in slam : verb criticize very harshly
As in belittle : verb detract
As in veto : verb refuse permission
As in best : verb defeat; gain advantage
As in bring down : verb reduce or hurt
As in immobilize : verb disable
As in scarify : verb slam
As in scathe : verb slam
As in debase : verb degrade, shame
As in deflate : verb humiliate
As in degrade : verb shame, humiliate
As in disable : verb render inoperative; cripple
As in eradicate : verb destroy; remove
As in explode : verb discredit
As in fell : verb chop down
As in humiliate : verb embarrass, put down

Example sentences :

The plan of the conspirators had been to shoot down the horses and overpower the escort.
Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad

He drew his gun to shoot down the glittering, wheeling metal bird.
Extract from : « Watchbird » by Robert Sheckley

Boys, shoot down those fellows who're tearing down the fences.
Extract from : « Si Klegg, Book 6 (of 6) » by John McElroy

And it was a revolting thing to have to shoot down and stab this handful of heroes.
Extract from : « For Fortune and Glory » by Lewis Hough

Do you think that we will shoot down our brothers to defend a traitor like you?
Extract from : « The Countess of Charny » by Alexandre Dumas (pere)

Of course they could not help us, for only one man can shoot down an opponent.
Extract from : « The Red Battle Flyer » by Capt. Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen

So rapidly did it shoot down that there were cries of alarm from the throng.
Extract from : « The Motor Boys in the Clouds » by Clarence Young

We will march into the town at once, and shoot down any who oppose us.
Extract from : « With Wolseley to Kumasi » by F.S. Brereton

You've got a woman to shoot down this time—and that's just half the story!
Extract from : « The Executioner » by Frank Riley

With my own eyes I have seen them shoot down anybody, and everybody.
Extract from : « Dave Dawson at Dunkirk » by Robert Sydney Bowen

Synonyms for shoot down

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019