cruise missile

noun

: a guided missile that has a terrain-following radar system and that flies at moderate speed and low altitude

Examples of cruise missile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That is why comparing ballistic and cruise missiles is not just about asking which one is more powerful. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026

The attack with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones damaged buildings and civilian infrastructure across the city. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

Officials say drones can often be intercepted using mobile units and relatively low-cost systems, but ballistic and cruise missiles remain far more difficult to stop. — Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 2 July 2026

Among the missiles launched by Russia on Thursday was the Zircon, an anti-ship and land-attack hypersonic cruise missile, Ihnat said. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cruise missile

• abyssal
• dismissal
• epistle
• bristle
• fissile
• gristle
• missal
• nissl
• thistle
• whistle