ballistic missile
noun
plural ballistic missiles
: a usually rocket-powered missile that is launched in a high arc under guidance for its ascent but that is unpowered and unguided once it begins its descent compare cruise missile, guided missile
Examples of ballistic missile in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Before his death in 2022, Pry warned that Kim Jung Un's launch of a high-altitude ballistic missile was a test of North Korea's EMP capabilities against the United States.
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Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The agreement relaxed sanctions leveled against Iran in exchange for new limits on Tehran's nuclear program, as officials involved at the time tried to limit weapons sales to and from Iran, as well as the country's ballistic missile development.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
However, Tehran's two recent direct attacks on Israel with ballistic missiles and drones caused negligible damage, while Israel responded by destroying Iranian air defense systems.
—Time, 30 Mar. 2025
The Houthis claimed to have fired 18 ballistic missiles and a drone in two separate attacks over the previous 24 hours.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballistic missile
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Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The agreement relaxed sanctions leveled against Iran in exchange for new limits on Tehran's nuclear program, as officials involved at the time tried to limit weapons sales to and from Iran, as well as the country's ballistic missile development.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
However, Tehran's two recent direct attacks on Israel with ballistic missiles and drones caused negligible damage, while Israel responded by destroying Iranian air defense systems.
—Time, 30 Mar. 2025
The Houthis claimed to have fired 18 ballistic missiles and a drone in two separate attacks over the previous 24 hours.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballistic missile
Cite this Entry
“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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