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

Russia launched almost 700 drones and 19 ballistic missiles, along with cruise missiles, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. —Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

This technology would significantly enhance Iran's ability to detect and track incoming threats, like low-flying drones and cruise missiles, and could help protect its air defense systems against advanced strikes. —James Laporta, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

Ukraine’s Air Defense said Russia launched in excess of 40 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as more than 650 drones of various types, calling it one of the toughest attacks of the year to date. —Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026

Iran likely retains some ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles despite weeks of US aerial bombardment of the country. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cruise missile

• abyssal
• dismissal
• epistle
• bristle
• fissile
• gristle
• missal
• nissl
• thistle
• whistle