upshot
Americannoun
-
the final issue, the conclusion, or the result.
The upshot of the disagreement was a new bylaw.
- Synonyms:
- aftereffect, outgrowth, consequence
-
the gist, as of an argument or thesis.
noun
-
the final result; conclusion; outcome
-
archery the final shot in a match
Etymology
Origin of upshot
Explanation
The upshot of an action is the end result, whatever happens last as a consequence of the original action. The upshot of reading this sentence is that you will understand what the word upshot means. In the 16th century, the last arrow launched in an archery competition was called the upshot. Like that final arrow, the upshot is the conclusion, the outcome. Sure, you can eat ice cream really fast, but the upshot is that you’ll have a brain freeze. The upshot of eating ice cream slowly is that it will melt. Decisions, decisions.
Vocabulary lists containing upshot
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
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Grendel
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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.
The upshot was that instead of a more community-minded gathering of citizens casting ballots for friends and neighbors, delegates were simply voted into the state convention based on whom they would support for the Senate.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026
The upshot is that stocks’ future cash flows can’t be measured in isolation—they’re compared with what you could earn risk-free from the government.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
The upshot is a battery that’s cheaper, quieter, and safer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
He said the upshot seemed to be "that noise policies are not worth the paper they are written on".
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
Chico moved in, crouching, giving it a little upshot.
From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
