as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
catapulted a pumpkin into the next yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of catapult
The past 20 years of research devoted to RNA modifications has led to what scientists have called an RNA Renaissance, catapulting RNA to become one of the most attractive macromolecules to study and use as vaccines and medicines.
—
Marlene Belfort, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
Record prices have catapulted gold to nearly 70% of all export earnings, amounting to roughly $21 billion last year.
—Bright Simons, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The Spurs seemingly took control Thursday with a 19-4 second-quarter run that catapulted them to a 74-63 halftime lead.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The whole band is now poised not just to move, but to catapult forward.
—Dana Kozlov, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catapult
Marlene Belfort, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
Record prices have catapulted gold to nearly 70% of all export earnings, amounting to roughly $21 billion last year.
—Bright Simons, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The Spurs seemingly took control Thursday with a 19-4 second-quarter run that catapulted them to a 74-63 halftime lead.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The whole band is now poised not just to move, but to catapult forward.
—Dana Kozlov, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catapult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catapult
Verb
-
The drone team stationed at ski jumping has come up with a way to catch the drone, change the battery and throw it back in the air.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
-
On a 2009 episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, the stylist’s last-minute work obligations threw a wrench in her plans with her then-husband, Rodger Berman.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bondi had a binder at the ready of stats and crime summaries ready to hurl at lawmakers during the contentious hearing, but members are unnerved that DOJ apparently tracked their searches to have at the ready.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Hat trick's special place in hockey In hockey, a hat trick not only refers to scoring three goals or more in a single game, but it's often followed by spectators hurling their beanies, caps and other headwear onto the rink.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once made of glass and cherished by parade spectators who were lucky enough to catch them, today cheap plastic beaded necklaces from overseas are tossed from floats by the handful.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The military stomp of the score is so tied up in the conception of Superman as an ultra-powerful Eagle Scout that the theme had to be tossed entirely when directors wanted to add a few layers of grime onto the character in the 2010s.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing in the room, which for most 6-year-olds would feature toys flung aside and clothes sprawled on the carpet, was accidental.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Marie Lansiaux, assistant hatter at Henri Henri, said at the time, spectators who flung their hats onto the ice would go retrieve their headwear at a counter after the game.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catapult. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
