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
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The missile will reportedly have a host of capabilities intended to defeat ballistic missile defenses, but Russia has not built a good track record with the vehicle.
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Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Recent satellite imagery from Vantor reveals that Russian Navy has deployed anti drone nets over the Borei class (NATO reporting name Dolgorukiy-class) ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), docked at Rybachiy.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
Plugging a key gap Israel’s provision of the Iron Dome gives the UAE a major boon in its drone defenses, with its primary air defenses — acquired from the United States, Russia, South Korea, and Israel — focused on countering medium and long-range cruise and ballistic missiles.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026
Russia has also commissioned the new nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile and used its conventionally armed version twice to strike Ukraine.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
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Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Recent satellite imagery from Vantor reveals that Russian Navy has deployed anti drone nets over the Borei class (NATO reporting name Dolgorukiy-class) ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), docked at Rybachiy.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
Plugging a key gap Israel’s provision of the Iron Dome gives the UAE a major boon in its drone defenses, with its primary air defenses — acquired from the United States, Russia, South Korea, and Israel — focused on countering medium and long-range cruise and ballistic missiles.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026
Russia has also commissioned the new nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile and used its conventionally armed version twice to strike Ukraine.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
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 19 May. 2026.
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