as in threw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
catapulted a pumpkin into the next yard
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Recent Examples of catapulted
The program is a centennial celebration of saxophonist John Coltrane and Miles Davis, focusing on the trumpeter’s era-defining mid-1950s quintet that catapulted Coltrane into prominence.
—
Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
The sophomore, who has started every game this season while emerging as a reliable stopper for the Buffs’ dominant defense, says that conversations with Elliott Whidden after the ASU loss catapulted her to more consistency in 2026.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
After three years under Olamide’s YBNL Nation, the label that catapulted Asake into global stardom, the Nigerian pop star declined to renew his contract and founded his own independent label, Giran Republic.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 7 May 2026
Google DeepMind, the company’s AI-research lab—led by Nobel Prize–winning CEO Demis Hassabis—forged several key breakthroughs that catapulted Google’s Gemini model to the top of many capability leaderboards.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
After signing to Motown Records in 1969, The Jackson 5 immediately catapulted to superstardom.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 4 May 2026
The popular answer there is Stephen Curry, whose ability to move without the basketball and create shots for his teammates catapulted the Golden State Warriors to four NBA titles.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
The Fever catapulted up the W’s financial ranks after drafting Caitlin Clark in 2024.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
As fate would have it, Leigh's daughter Jamie Lee Curtis catapulted into superstardom starring as Laurie Strode in seven Halloween films.
—Alison Schwartz, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
The sophomore, who has started every game this season while emerging as a reliable stopper for the Buffs’ dominant defense, says that conversations with Elliott Whidden after the ASU loss catapulted her to more consistency in 2026.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
After three years under Olamide’s YBNL Nation, the label that catapulted Asake into global stardom, the Nigerian pop star declined to renew his contract and founded his own independent label, Giran Republic.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 7 May 2026
Google DeepMind, the company’s AI-research lab—led by Nobel Prize–winning CEO Demis Hassabis—forged several key breakthroughs that catapulted Google’s Gemini model to the top of many capability leaderboards.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
After signing to Motown Records in 1969, The Jackson 5 immediately catapulted to superstardom.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 4 May 2026
The popular answer there is Stephen Curry, whose ability to move without the basketball and create shots for his teammates catapulted the Golden State Warriors to four NBA titles.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
The Fever catapulted up the W’s financial ranks after drafting Caitlin Clark in 2024.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
As fate would have it, Leigh's daughter Jamie Lee Curtis catapulted into superstardom starring as Laurie Strode in seven Halloween films.
—Alison Schwartz, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catapulted
Verb
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Mikal Bridges grabbed the offensive rebound and threw it out to Jalen Brunson.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
As Molina learned, the collection belonged to the late Julia Juarez, a member of the Rhythm-Aires, a trio of teenage Chicanas from Azusa who threw parties in the early ’50s.—
Oliver Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
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During another act of vandalism, the suspects hurled an egg at a home, officials said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
-
In 1773, Bostonians disguised as Mohawks hurled hundreds of chests of British tea into the ocean.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The Eyes must have tossed the Pearl Girls dormitory, too, because Daisy’s pocket radio — the one she’s been hiding inside her bunkmate Thalia’s bed frame — is sitting on the desk.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
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But when Story stepped to the plate — after Willson Contreras launched a 449-foot home run, admired his work and then tossed his bat toward the on-deck circle, and after Wilyer Abreu followed with a 396-foot blast of his own — Valdez threw, of all things, a four-seam fastball.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
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That loop flung Integrity back toward Earth.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
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Each First Lady is flung into the national spotlight in their role as the President's wife.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Single chains which had been slung across the entrances at night, and were easily stepped over, were replaced with the movable barriers.—
Lincoln Anderson,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
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Paramedics slung straps under her arms and lifted her out with a crane during the rescue mission, CBC News reported.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catapulted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catapulted. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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