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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This architecture was devised during the Cold War and is optimized for nuclear conflict and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
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Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Emboldened by his trip to Beijing, Kim on Monday watched a test of North Korea’s new high-thrust rocket engine, which state media said would be used to power Pyongyang’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-20.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
According to Ivy Park representatives, the SM-65 was the first operational intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the United States and the first member of the Atlas rocket family.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Satellite imagery and analysis have shown the construction of new military bases in Belarus, including one which could host a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, it has been reported.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
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Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Emboldened by his trip to Beijing, Kim on Monday watched a test of North Korea’s new high-thrust rocket engine, which state media said would be used to power Pyongyang’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-20.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
According to Ivy Park representatives, the SM-65 was the first operational intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the United States and the first member of the Atlas rocket family.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Satellite imagery and analysis have shown the construction of new military bases in Belarus, including one which could host a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, it has been reported.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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