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silver bullet

American  

noun

  1. a quick solution to a difficult problem.


Etymology

Origin of silver bullet

First recorded in 1930–35; from the belief that supernatural beings, as werewolves, can be killed with a silver bullet

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.

See Examples For:

“There is AI expertise and some AI optimism, but not an exclusive focus on AI disinflation as a silver bullet for inflation.”

From MarketWatch Jul. 9, 2026

“Is the SAT or ACT or standardized testing a silver bullet for making admissions better? No way, nobody’s suggesting it is,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 9, 2026

None of these reforms would be a silver bullet against revenge prosecutions, but together they would make such abuses far harder to carry out.

From Slate May 1, 2026

Investors have been looking for signs of successful AI integration, but AI agents haven’t been a silver bullet for software companies.

From Barron's Apr. 20, 2026

Our plane, a giant silver bullet with wings awaits us at the gate.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

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