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REFERENCE

sniper

n.
US //ˈsnaɪpɝ// UK //snˈaɪpɐ// sniper
  1. 1 military marksman (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person who shoots at targets from a hidden place, usually from a long distance.

    a marksman who operates from a concealed position to engage targets at distances exceeding the capabilities of standard infantry.

    Example

    The sniper hid in the tall grass and waited for the target to appear.

    Example

    Military snipers are trained to remain stationary for hours, maintaining focus on a single objective while remaining entirely undetected by enemy patrols.
  2. 2 online auctions (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Computing

    a person who places a winning bid at the very last second of an online auction.

    an individual or automated script that places a bid in the final seconds of an auction to prevent competitors from responding.

    Example

    I thought I had won the vintage watch, but a sniper outbid me in the last three seconds.

    Example

    The prevalence of automated snipers has changed the way collectors approach online bidding, often rendering early participation in an auction redundant.

    Usage

    Often used as a verb 'to snipe' in the same context.

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  1. 3 sports scorer (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Sport

    a player who is very good at shooting and scoring goals, especially in hockey.

    a player, particularly in ice hockey or lacrosse, noted for their exceptional accuracy and ability to score goals from various positions.

    Example

    The team signed a new sniper to help improve their scoring record this season.

    Example

    As a natural sniper, he possesses the rare ability to find the smallest openings in the goalie's defense even under heavy pressure.
  2. 4 a critic (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Informal

    someone who makes quick, sharp criticisms of other people.

    a person who delivers sharp, often anonymous or unexpected verbal attacks or criticisms.

    Example

    The politician had to deal with several snipers in the press who hated his new policy.

    Example

    The CEO ignored the snipers on social media, focusing instead on the long-term growth of the company rather than petty grievances.
Origin

From snipe + -er.

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