as in throwing
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
catapulted a pumpkin into the next yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 catapulting
In the decade to 2023, LNG imports rose by 70% catapulting it to the position of the world’s fourth-largest importer.
—
Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The company has played a hand in catapulting 18 sitting Fortune 500 CEOs, and 28 globally, to the top job, according to a 2025 analysis from Fortune editor Ruth Umoh.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2026
With her buzzy role as the socialite and businesswoman Alexis Colby, Collins is widely credited with catapulting Dynasty’s ratings into the stratosphere.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
The show took off, scoring a Season 2 renewal in December and catapulting its stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie onto the Golden Globes stage.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
His 2015 performance at the CMA Awards with his wife, Morgane, and Justin Timberlake was a landmark moment for Stapleton and the song, catapulting it back onto the charts, reaching Number One this time around.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 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
Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The company has played a hand in catapulting 18 sitting Fortune 500 CEOs, and 28 globally, to the top job, according to a 2025 analysis from Fortune editor Ruth Umoh.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2026
With her buzzy role as the socialite and businesswoman Alexis Colby, Collins is widely credited with catapulting Dynasty’s ratings into the stratosphere.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
The show took off, scoring a Season 2 renewal in December and catapulting its stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie onto the Golden Globes stage.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
His 2015 performance at the CMA Awards with his wife, Morgane, and Justin Timberlake was a landmark moment for Stapleton and the song, catapulting it back onto the charts, reaching Number One this time around.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catapulting
Verb
-
The council was established in April 2024, nearly three years after President Jovenel Moïse was killed at his residence, throwing Haiti into widespread upheaval.—
EVENS SANON,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
After Lathan Sommerville drew consecutive trips to the line, and no whistle blew when Dent was contacted on a drive, Cronin ran onto the court, throwing his fists in anger, and yelling at an official.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Each of these impact sites stands testament to the violence of its creation — cataclysmic collisions that carved vast basins in the lunar surface, while hurling debris miles across the face of Earth's natural satellite.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Immigration authorities appear to be hurling smoke bombs at protesters.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cell Phone Video Footage shows the agent tossing the woman to the ground shortly before using pepper spray on the crowd of observers who had gathered outside the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.—
Gio Insignares,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Before tossing to the trailer, which will be officially released in the coming weeks as a follow-up to the teaser last month, Dolan solicited feedback from the audience.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His frustration — flinging the ball into the floor, screaming at his team-mates — could have been a sign of a Chelsea team about to wobble.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
As an example of just how close people can get to the herd, there was a moment of levity at the event when one of the elephants began flinging what was believed to be a mixture of dirt and feces up onto the bridge.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With one or two exceptions, this trade deadline may just be an accounting exercise of slinging slop contracts back and forth with negligible on-court impact.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Now, every one of those losses could devolve into a legal blame-slinging contest.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catapulting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catapulting. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
