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missile

missile

∞ 4.9
A weapon with its own engine that flies to a target and explodes
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪsəl/
  • Specialized
: misil
  • The military launched a missile that successfully hit its target from miles away.
  • ballistic missile
  • missile defense
  • cruise missile

Israel responds with Hellfire missiles, white phosphorus bombs.

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Examples

  • NATO allies are sending Ukraine anti tank weapons, air defence, missiles and ammunition.

  • Last Saturday, Iran launched hundreds of armed drones and missiles to attack Israel.

  • This could be a surprise missile attack.

  • And it was not an Israeli Defense Forces missile that hit them.

  • At any moment, a boom, a precise missile strike can happen.

  • In the absence of any agreement, the number of missiles in Europe continued to mount.

    Academic text (1990)
  • We cannot defend against a missile attack against Tokyo and Seoul.

  • Active defense systems prevent incoming rockets and missiles from hitting or destroying a target.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The regime has an impressive ballistic missile program for delivering weapons of mass destruction.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Last Saturday, Iran launched hundreds of armed drones and missiles to attack Israel.

Synonyms

rocket
vsmissile
184 3.7

A firework sent high into the sky that makes bright sparks

is mainly a weapon designed to deliver explosives to a target
projectile
vsmissile
46 6.6

An object thrown or fired through the air, often used as a weapon

is a specifically designed airborne weapon rather than any thrown object
ballistic missile
vsmissile
  • Specialized
45 5.1

A rocket that is powered and guided at first and then follows a path without power to its target

is propelled through the air and may be guided or unguided
surface-to-air missile
vsmissile
  • Specialized
19 6.3

A weapon launched from the ground or a ship to destroy aircraft in the sky

is aimed at targets generally rather than only aircraft
ICBM
vsmissile
  • Specialized
14 7.9

A long-range rocket weapon that can travel between continents and carry nuclear weapons

is any propelled weapon without the continental range requirement
guided missile
vsmissile
  • Specialized
10 4.1

A rocket that can change its path in flight to hit a target

can be either guided or unguided rather than always controllable
intercontinental ballistic missile
vsmissile
  • Specialized
7 7.4

A long range rocket that can fly between continents and carry a nuclear bomb

is a general airborne weapon not limited to intercontinental range
V-1
vsmissile
1 9.9

A German flying bomb used in World War II to attack cities

is the modern general term rather than that specific historical device
antiballistic missile
vsmissile
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A weapon that shoots down incoming missiles sent from far away

focuses on striking targets, not intercepting other weapons
buzz bomb
vsmissile
  • Archaic
1 9.4

A small jet-powered flying bomb used by Germany in World War II to attack cities

is the broader modern category rather than this WWII example
naval missile
vsmissile
  • Specialized
6.8

A missile launched from a warship to hit enemy ships or land targets

is designed for many platforms, not only ship launching

Compounds

cruise missile
  • Specialized
55 6.3

A flying, unmanned weapon that carries a bomb to a distant target with high accuracy

ballistic missile
  • Specialized
45 5.1

A rocket that is powered and guided at first and then follows a path without power to its target

19 6.3

A weapon launched from the ground or a ship to destroy aircraft in the sky

15 4.6

A set of weapons and radar that find and stop enemy missiles before they hit

guided missile
  • Specialized
10 4.1

A rocket that can change its path in flight to hit a target

A long range rocket that can fly between continents and carry a nuclear bomb

heat-seeking missile
  • Specialized
4 5.0

A weapon that follows the heat from a plane's engine to hit it

air-to-air missile
  • Specialized
2 5.3

A weapon that one plane fires to destroy another plane in the air

1 6.3

A rocket that stops and destroys incoming long-range missiles before they reach their target

1 8.0

A large military ship that carries missiles to attack and defend at long range

1 7.5

A fast military ship that carries weapons that can steer themselves to attack ships and aircraft

antiballistic missile
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A weapon that shoots down incoming missiles sent from far away

air-to-ground missile
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A weapon that a plane fires to hit targets on the ground

1 6.7

A weapon that a plane fires to hit a target on the ground

1 7.5

A navy ship with guided missiles that escorts and protects other ships

1 7.9

A set of weapons and equipment that shoots rockets at planes

A missile system on a ship that defends it from close incoming missiles or planes

A part of the U.S. Department of Defense that develops and coordinates systems to stop long-range missiles

A large submarine that carries nuclear missiles to stop enemies from attacking a country

naval missile
  • Specialized
6.8

A missile launched from a warship to hit enemy ships or land targets

How Specialized

anti-ballistic missile
  • Specialized
1 6.3
surface-to-air missile
  • Specialized
19 6.3
interceptor
  • Specialized
15 8.4
missile
  • Specialized
∞ 4.9

Surface Forms

missile singular
missiles plural

Etymology

The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, which means 'to send', and the same root is in mission. That's why a modern missile is a weapon 'sent' to a target, often by a rocket or engine.