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Is there a verb that characterizes being shot by someone from a hiding place, perhaps at long range, like a sniper?

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  • "I was sniped by the guy hiding in the tree. He sniped me." It's not standard, but kids use it all the time in video games. – Mitch Mar 26 '13 at 23:29
  • "Picked off" comes closest to what I am grasping for. – Dimitriy V. Masterov Mar 26 '13 at 23:51
  • There's nothing wrong with using the word shot, for this. It is actually what you have described. – Tristan Mar 27 '13 at 18:54
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snipe is exactly the verb you are looking for. My Chambers dictionary gives two shades of the verb, neither has any hint that it's a slang or childish word.

intransitive verb
1. to shoot snipe [the bird] for sport
2. to shoot at individuals from a position of (usually distant) cover
3. to attack or criticize, especially from a position of security

transitive verb
to pick off by rifle fire from (usually distant) cover

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    This doesn't quite work. OP is looking for a term which focuses on the target, not the sniper. Mitch suggests you can "be sniped" but this is not supported by this answer's definitions or examples. – MetaEd Mar 27 '13 at 0:47
  • "Picked off" seems to be the best answer. – Dimitriy V. Masterov Mar 28 '13 at 17:41
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You are looking for sniped being helped by an auxiliary be verb. Do not confused with snipped, which is the past participle of snip.

Example:

He was sniped by an unknown combatant.

Note that sniped can also be used in reference to the person sniping. But you won't need the auxiliary verb in most instances.

Example:

He sniped the enemy from a very long distance.

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Assasinate means the target was specifically chosen.

to murder (a usually prominent person) by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons

Merriam-Webster

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    I am afraid that is too broad, as it is not gun-specific. – Dimitriy V. Masterov Mar 27 '13 at 7:09

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