catapult

verb

Definition of catapultnext
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm catapulted a pumpkin into the next yard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of catapult Since his appointment as creative director of Diesel in 2020, Martens has injected fresh energy and catapulted the brand back on the hype radar, relaunching the pop culture relevancy of the denim label founded by Renzo Rosso in 1978. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 Winning the leading role of O-lan would have catapulted Wong to the Hollywood A-list. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 The experience catapulted Moody into not just the Fringe, but the wider London theater ecosystem, eventually leading to her big break with Fleabag in 2013. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026 The power of those two songs catapulted Kings of Leon from hellraising upstarts who opened for rock giants like U2, the Rolling Stones, and Pearl Jam in the mid-aughts to global stardom. — Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catapult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catapult
  1. throw
  2. hurl
  3. toss
  4. fling
Verb
  • Bella chews him out for punching Angus in the face right before Angus’s big presentation, which Johnny knew about because they were supposed to throw a return supper for him, a dinner Johnny was supposed to cook.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Victories by Germany’s AfD in state elections have thrown the viability of the country’s government into doubt, while France’s National Rally is the odds-on favorite to win next year’s presidential election.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of throw
Verb
  • When campaigning for parliament in 2024, Farage had a milkshake thrown at him by a woman and on another occasion objects were hurled towards his open-top bus by a man.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The disdain liberal media outlets hurl at her isn't because Sweeney defied their values.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurl
Verb
  • Kingsolver followed Unsheltered with Demon Copperhead, a retelling of David Copperfield about an Appalachian orphan tossed around the foster system after losing his mother to an overdose.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Tarik Skubal tossed six dominant innings in triple-digit heat, Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncy homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in Game 1 of their NL Division Series on Saturday.
    — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of toss
Verb
  • Surveillance footage of the incident shared by Palermo Today shows a number of passengers throwing punches, before one guest flings a chair at another.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
  • When the ball hit the turf, Rocchio flung his helmet in the air and Cleveland's dugout emptied onto the field to celebrate.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of fling

Browse Nearby Words

cataplasms
catapult
catapulted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catapult. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on catapult

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catapult

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