Illustration of catapult
- catapult 1
cat·a·pult
ˈka-tə-ˌpəlt 
-ˌpu̇lt
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)
catapulted; catapulting; catapults
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame
Synonyms
Examples of catapult in a Sentence
Verb
They catapulted rocks toward the castle.
The publicity catapulted her CD to the top of the charts.
The novel catapulted him from unknown to best-selling author.
He catapulted to fame after his first book was published.
Her career was catapulting ahead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
According to the scientists, this finding suggests that the explosive force of the flower's catapult doesn't just serve to deposit its own pollen, but also to remove rival pollen.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
Law, of course, more than rose to the occasion, and Ripley catapulted him to Hollywood’s A-list.
—John Russell, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catapult 
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Noun
The second ship in the class, the John F. Kennedy, has begun testing of its electromagnetic aircraft launch system in February, which replaces steam catapults used by the Nimitz-class.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
According to the scientists, this finding suggests that the explosive force of the flower's catapult doesn't just serve to deposit its own pollen, but also to remove rival pollen.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
History says the party has an excellent chance to win back control of the chamber in the 2026 midterms, a win that could catapult Ocasio-Cortez into an even more prominent role as oversight chair.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
Law, of course, more than rose to the occasion, and Ripley catapulted him to Hollywood’s A-list.
—John Russell, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catapult
Dictionary Entries Near catapult
Cite this Entry
“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catapult. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catapult
1 of 2 noun
cat·a·pult
ˈkat-ə-ˌpəlt
-ˌpu̇lt
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane (as from the deck of an aircraft carrier)
catapult
2 of 2 verb1
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
2
: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame
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