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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Video footage captured the fiery aftermath of a ballistic missile strike that hit Ramat Gan, a neighborhood east of Tel Aviv, overnight Tuesday, killing at least two people, according to Israeli officials.
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Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Israel’s Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system — developed jointly with Boeing and tested against Iranian threats in 2024, 2025 and now 2026 — has become the anchor of a layered regional air-defense concept that Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are seeking to integrate more permanently.
—Judah Taub, semafor.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Had action been deferred, Iran’s rapidly increasing ballistic missile would have soon reached the point of immunity — erecting a shield of threatened destruction behind which the mullah’s nuclear program could be rebuilt.
—Chuck Devore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The ministry said that over the last 24 hours, Kuwait's air defenses had detected two ballistic missiles and 13 drones inside the country's airspace.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
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Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Israel’s Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system — developed jointly with Boeing and tested against Iranian threats in 2024, 2025 and now 2026 — has become the anchor of a layered regional air-defense concept that Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are seeking to integrate more permanently.
—Judah Taub, semafor.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Had action been deferred, Iran’s rapidly increasing ballistic missile would have soon reached the point of immunity — erecting a shield of threatened destruction behind which the mullah’s nuclear program could be rebuilt.
—Chuck Devore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The ministry said that over the last 24 hours, Kuwait's air defenses had detected two ballistic missiles and 13 drones inside the country's airspace.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2026.
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