slings and arrows

plural noun

: pointed often acerbic critical attacks

has suffered the slings and arrows of detractors—

Roland Gelatt

Examples of slings and arrows in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Borderlands doesn’t just suffer from the usual slings and arrows of moving something stupendously successful in one medium to another, and praying that most of the beloved, vital elements don’t get lost in translation. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2024 There are ways to deal with life’s slings and arrows. —

David Holahan, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2024 Those slings and arrows now include a campaign by Musk to chip away at Delaware’s special status in the corporate world. —

Rachel Lerman, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2024 Lopez’s forgiving nature can at least partially be attributed to having a partner who has also suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. —

Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slings and arrows

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" in Shakespeare's Hamlet

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of slings and arrows was in 1963

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slings and arrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slings%20and%20arrows. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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