cruise missile

noun

: a guided missile that has a terrain-following radar system and that flies at moderate speed and low altitude

Examples of cruise missile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Its forces have repeatedly reached deep into Russian territory, using swarms of inexpensive drones instead of fighter jets or cruise missiles. Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025 Moscow’s forces launched a total of 810 drones, four ballistic missiles and nine cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said. Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025 The strikes included 810 Shahed-type attack unmanned aerial vehicles and drones of various types, nine Iskander-K cruise missiles and four Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, the air force said on Telegram. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025 Russia launched 810 Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones; 9 Iskander-K cruise missiles; and 4 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, according to the Ukrainian Defense Department. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cruise missile

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruise missile was in 1959

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cruise missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruise%20missile. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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