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
Elsewhere, at least one person was killed Saturday afternoon when a ballistic missile hit the southern port city of Odesa, Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces said in a Telegram post.
—
Radina Gigova, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
The proliferation of ballistic missiles used by groups such as the Houthis is thanks, in no small part, to a partnership between Iran and North Korea.
—Andrew Metrick, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
After Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, visited Russia in 2023, the U.S. accused Pyongyang of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles.
—Tara Sonenshine, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2024
Later, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported that the North had launched several more short-range ballistic missiles from North Hwanghae Province.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024
Instead, his forces are intercepting Houthi drone and ballistic missile attacks in one of the world’s most strategic waterways, and striking the group further inland in Yemen.
—Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024
Both Hezbollah and the Houthis have deployed precision missiles and drones in their attacks, and although Israel has impressive defense capabilities against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, its defenses are not impenetrable.
—Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024
Of the remaining nuclear warheads, 1,185 are intercontinental ballistic missiles and are deployed on bases or at sea around the world.
—Sarah Cottrell, Parents, 7 Mar. 2024
For instance, in that February 7 attack in which the Zircon was allegedly used, three Iskander ballistic missiles and four Kh-22 cruise missiles fired by Russian forces evaded attempts to bring them down, data from Ukraine’s air force shows.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024
Radina Gigova, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
The proliferation of ballistic missiles used by groups such as the Houthis is thanks, in no small part, to a partnership between Iran and North Korea.
—Andrew Metrick, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
After Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, visited Russia in 2023, the U.S. accused Pyongyang of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles.
—Tara Sonenshine, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2024
Later, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported that the North had launched several more short-range ballistic missiles from North Hwanghae Province.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024
Instead, his forces are intercepting Houthi drone and ballistic missile attacks in one of the world’s most strategic waterways, and striking the group further inland in Yemen.
—Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024
Both Hezbollah and the Houthis have deployed precision missiles and drones in their attacks, and although Israel has impressive defense capabilities against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, its defenses are not impenetrable.
—Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024
Of the remaining nuclear warheads, 1,185 are intercontinental ballistic missiles and are deployed on bases or at sea around the world.
—Sarah Cottrell, Parents, 7 Mar. 2024
For instance, in that February 7 attack in which the Zircon was allegedly used, three Iskander ballistic missiles and four Kh-22 cruise missiles fired by Russian forces evaded attempts to bring them down, data from Ukraine’s air force shows.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ballistic missile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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