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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Meanwhile, too many of Iran's ballistic missiles—considerably more lethal than the rockets typically fired into Israel from Hamas and Lebanon—were evading Israeli air defense.
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Breakthrough announced after hostilities spread Netanyahu said Israel agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran, in coordination with Trump, after the country achieved all of its war goals, including removing the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
—Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
The Iranian triad, on which its power projections were based, was ballistic missiles, its nuclear program and its proxy network.
—Michel Martin, NPR, 24 June 2025
Advertisement The fragile ceasefire appeared to come about quickly late Monday, after Iran retaliated to the U.S. airstrike with a dangerous but largely symbolic volley of ballistic missiles targeting major U.S. base in Qatar.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 24 June 2025
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Breakthrough announced after hostilities spread Netanyahu said Israel agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran, in coordination with Trump, after the country achieved all of its war goals, including removing the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
—Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
The Iranian triad, on which its power projections were based, was ballistic missiles, its nuclear program and its proxy network.
—Michel Martin, NPR, 24 June 2025
Advertisement The fragile ceasefire appeared to come about quickly late Monday, after Iran retaliated to the U.S. airstrike with a dangerous but largely symbolic volley of ballistic missiles targeting major U.S. base in Qatar.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 24 June 2025
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 3 Jul. 2025.
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