shoo-in

noun

ˈshü-ˌin How to pronounce shoo-in (audio)
Definition of shoo-innext
as in lock
one that is certain to succeed a shoo-in for the position of secretary of state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of shoo-in Not every piece of clothing is a shoo-in for Ripa’s approval though. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026 That film, which won the Silver Lion, was considered a shoo-in for the festival’s top award after its 22-minute standing ovation, which stands as the fest’s longest. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 The contest in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District should be a shoo-in for Republicans. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Our Top Picks The Heirloom Pick Any piece from Le Creuset is a shoo-in heirloom piece, and these heritage stoneware dishes in the brand’s classic vibrant glazes are no exception. — Clara Hillis, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoo-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoo-in
  1. lock
  2. certainty
  3. sure thing
  4. cinch
Noun
  • These include a faster editing system that allows users to correct incorrectly decoded text and a lock-screen feature that enables speech communication without first unlocking the phone.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Styled by longtime collaborator and hairstylist Alyx Liu, Lovato’s dark raven locks tumbled down her shoulders in a loose curl pattern, adding to the visual drama.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of lock
Noun
  • Playing a dominant rival who has won nine of your last 10 meetings, with limited certainty about who will be quarterbacking your team, is far from typical.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The cost of each program should be included in the bill, creating fiscal certainty.
    — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of certainty
Noun
  • But even a confident owner should weigh what that takes against the sure thing on the table.
    — Ron Smith, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Doncic, Reaves and Kessler are the sure things, but the other two spots are not certain.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of sure thing
Noun
  • Democrats appear a cinch to win control of the House, but the Senate remains a toss-up.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As much as the Brewers now seem like a cinch to win their first title in the most expedient fashion available to them (Milwaukee enters Game 4 as -125 favorites), there’s always a chance the 2026 Rays may live to see another day.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of cinch

Browse Nearby Words

shone
shoo-in
shoo-ins
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoo-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoo-in. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of reticent

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All