launch 1 of 2

verb

ˈlȯnch How to pronounce launch (audio)
Definition of launchnext
1
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of after retiring, he launched a small company devoted to making medical devices

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2
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) she launched a career in journalism after quitting acting school

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3
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm infantrymen launching grenades at the nest of machine gunners

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launch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in takeoff
a rising from a surface at the start of a flight (as of a rocket) the reporters held their collective breath as they silently watched the space shuttle's launch

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2
as in start
the point at which something begins we are at the launch of a new age of space exploration

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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 launch
Verb
For perspective on the enormity of the measure before voters, one of the state’s existing down payment programs, California Dream For All, launched several years ago with $500 million, just 2% of the funding involved in Proposition 37. — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 Jackson launched his bid as a relative unknown, though Capitol insiders knew him because of Jackson Healthcare, its lucrative state contracts and his lobbying interest in healthcare, business and tax policy. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
Malm is scheduled to be a speaker at next Wednesday’s launch event for the Historical Materialism Conference organized by Tribune magazine, alongside Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026 The Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital announced Monday a conditional commitment to provide a $150 million loan to Stoke Space for construction of a second launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, GeekWire reports. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for launch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launch
  1. establish
  2. begin
  3. throw
  4. takeoff
  5. start
  6. initiate
  7. commence
  8. hurl
Verb
  • This could help establish a circular supply chain in which discarded electronic components become feedstock for new industrial applications.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • At the news conference, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said investigators at his office gathered video evidence, interviewed witnesses and worked closely with prosecutors to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • Joby Aviation has begun piloted electric air taxi flights across Florida, testing how the aircraft could operate between airports and other locations as the state works toward building a network for future aerial transportation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The Heat’s starters outscored the Pacers by 20 points in 13 minutes together, including an 18-4 run to begin the second half.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • Every move made by one voice of the piano is orchestrated to cast some new light or shadow on the others; one false note would throw the elegant balance out of whack.
    — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026
  • With 13 seconds left and third down at the Braves’ 12, Guess threw the ball up toward the end zone and Brown, his best friend since the age of 6, caught it for a touchdown.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of throw
Noun
  • Typically, accidents happen around takeoff or landing, according to Gorwitz, such as the Amazon cargo plane that skidded of the end of the runway in September at Miami International Airport, killing five people.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • In 2008, four people were killed when a Learjet 60 bound for Los Angeles crashed on takeoff from Columbia, South Carolina.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of takeoff
Noun
  • The anticipated early 2028 production start will mark the next stage of the company’s investment in Colorado.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Heat also stuck with essentially the same bench rotation (but with a twist) despite its rough start to the season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of start
Verb
  • Two of the disturbance reports were initiated by Basabe himself, while the other three complaints were initiated by others making reports to the police.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Following Italmobiliare’s takeover, a new course was initiated product-wise, with some items tweaked to meet current sustainability demands and the company opening up to newness by actively promoting its heritage.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of initiate
Verb
  • When the groping soon commenced, the victim started recording with his phone.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Our reality is Swift’s nightmare of statistics and algorithms; mechanization and industrialization as commenced without any concern for the vagaries of the beating human heart.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • For over a week, protesters have hurled rocks, flares, firebombs and fireworks at police who have used batons and tear gas in clashes in the city center.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Videos show some masked protesters hurling objects at police as the tear gas drifts across the square.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurl

Browse Nearby Words

laughters
launch
launched
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Cite this Entry

“Launch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launch. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about launch

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