surface-to-air
adjective
sur·face-to-air
ˈsər-fəs-ˌtü-ˈer 
: launched from the ground against a target in the air
Examples of surface-to-air in a Sentence
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There are simply far too many to be brought down with missiles, either surface-to-air systems like the Raven supplied by the UK or US Sidewinders fired from F-16s.
—
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
In 2020, Iranian air defense shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 with two surface-to-air missiles, killing all 176 people on board.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Among the targets identified in an ABC News analysis were surface-to-air missile systems, communications antennas and at least two buildings that appeared to be depots.
—Paul P. Murphy, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2026
To do this, Washington has few alternatives to urgent, heavy investment in far greater production capacity and rapid procurement of existing long-range air-to-air, surface-to-air, and air-to-surface missiles, as well as F-35, F-47, and B-21 combat aircraft and nuclear attack submarines.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
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David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
In 2020, Iranian air defense shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 with two surface-to-air missiles, killing all 176 people on board.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Among the targets identified in an ABC News analysis were surface-to-air missile systems, communications antennas and at least two buildings that appeared to be depots.
—Paul P. Murphy, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2026
To do this, Washington has few alternatives to urgent, heavy investment in far greater production capacity and rapid procurement of existing long-range air-to-air, surface-to-air, and air-to-surface missiles, as well as F-35, F-47, and B-21 combat aircraft and nuclear attack submarines.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface-to-air
Cite this Entry
“Surface-to-air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface-to-air. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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