as in throwing
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 catapulting
Eclipses are harbingers of change, often bringing intense shifts in perspective and catapulting us into new realities.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The video ends with Rocky running through the streets and firing a gun into the air, before he’s shown once again in the back of a cop car and wildly catapulting through the back window.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
The year started off slowly for Hollywood, with the first real breakout, Warner Bros’ A Minecraft Movie, catapulting us into the spring.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
And as one of the premier global American brands, Hilfiger’s classic, casual American style has resonated well with consumers everywhere, catapulting the brand to worldwide retail sales, including licensing operations, of about $9 billion in 2024.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Dec. 2025
After running through the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, the Bears watched as the Los Angeles Rams dropped a stunner to the Carolina Panthers, catapulting Chicago to the top of the NFC standings.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
The show became an immediate global blockbuster on Netflix, catapulting Harbour to top-of-the-call-sheet status in a matter of weeks.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025
His visionary approach to AI and computing has positioned Nvidia at the forefront of the AI boom, catapulting him up the billionaire ranks and establishing him as one of the most influential figures in technology today.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Aside from catapulting its stars to another level of fame, the film and its subsequent success prompted Amazon to greenlight a forthcoming sequel.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The video ends with Rocky running through the streets and firing a gun into the air, before he’s shown once again in the back of a cop car and wildly catapulting through the back window.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
The year started off slowly for Hollywood, with the first real breakout, Warner Bros’ A Minecraft Movie, catapulting us into the spring.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
And as one of the premier global American brands, Hilfiger’s classic, casual American style has resonated well with consumers everywhere, catapulting the brand to worldwide retail sales, including licensing operations, of about $9 billion in 2024.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Dec. 2025
After running through the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, the Bears watched as the Los Angeles Rams dropped a stunner to the Carolina Panthers, catapulting Chicago to the top of the NFC standings.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
The show became an immediate global blockbuster on Netflix, catapulting Harbour to top-of-the-call-sheet status in a matter of weeks.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025
His visionary approach to AI and computing has positioned Nvidia at the forefront of the AI boom, catapulting him up the billionaire ranks and establishing him as one of the most influential figures in technology today.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Aside from catapulting its stars to another level of fame, the film and its subsequent success prompted Amazon to greenlight a forthcoming sequel.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catapulting
Verb
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After throwing for just 241 total yards in wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State to start Miami’s postseason journey, Beck completed 23 of 37 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns with one interception and had the game-clinching rushing touchdown.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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This happened after a number of protesters began throwing snowballs at federal vehicles on the scene.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On a recent morning in midtown Manhattan, Spike Lee blows on an imaginary pair of dice before hurling them to the ground.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
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As both sides scream at each other, a female customer is seen hurling a fallen burger at one of the employees, the outlet reported.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Silver Flatware Authentic silver flatware is worth holding onto or reselling, not tossing into the donation bin.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
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Fry, tossing occasionally, until any liquid released in the frying process disappears and mushrooms are nicely browned.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Habeeb said that the woman's reign of glass-flinging terror was ultimately put to an end when she was tackled to the ground.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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Joanna's youngest son, Crew, 7, then runs out of the house with his arms open, flinging himself around his sister.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Then there's Nancy Wheeler, who goes from wide-eyed girl next door to gun-slinging badass—and her hair has become bigger and wilder to match.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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The saloon, which will be slinging beer, bourbon and barbecue and hosting no-cover entertainment, will take over the second level of The Exchange.—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catapulting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catapulting. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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