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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Lack of preparation Eight weeks after the UAE withdrawal, the US and Israel launched a war on Iran, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 By 2002, the group had disbanded, but some of its members founded TOOOL and went on to launch yearly lock-picking competitions. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
Equinix and Digital Realty Trust, data center developers that trade as REITs, have fared well longer-term, though their shares have stalled in the period since the BXDC launch. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Satellite launches began in December 2024, and just over 180 spacecraft have entered orbit so far. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 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
  • But a key rationale for eligibility rules is to establish bright-line, predictable rules that should promote fair play and competition, with colleges, coaches and athletes treated similarly in similar situations.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Since establishing his label in Paris in 1937, Roger Vivier became known for experimentation with form, materials and heel shapes — a vocabulary creative director Gherardo Felloni continues to mine today.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • The Dream this month announced that the team has struck a multiyear contract to host all home games at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, beginning next season.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Tropical storm-force winds began to lash the Gulf shoreline around midday, hours before Isaias was expected to make landfall between Mobile Bay on the Alabama coast and the city of Destin in the Florida Panhandle.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration—especially during the summer months, when the museum throws its popular experimental music parties called Warm Up.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • As Earth faces an overwhelming alien threat, these young aviators are thrown into relentless combat that tests their loyalty, courage and faith in one another.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of throw
Noun
  • Grimes‘ next album is finally ready for takeoff, but don’t expect any songs about ex Elon Musk — yet.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Archer Aviation — The developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft gained 3% after Barclays assumed coverage of the stock with an overweight rating.
    — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of takeoff
Noun
  • While the Clemson game was Congdon’s first start, the freshman has been part of UM’s guard rotation all season.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Missouri defense collects takeaways to overcome slow start When the Tigers’ offense has started games slow, the defense has been dependable for stops and takeaways.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of start
Verb
  • Autonomous agents are beginning to participate in commerce on behalf of businesses, making decisions, initiating transactions and interacting with other systems at machine speed.
    — Alex Zuck, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rothschild & Co Redburn initiates MiniMed as buy The firm said the insulin pump company has a competitive advantage.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of initiate
Verb
  • Every belt buckle looks freshly yanked off the rack; every speck of signage resembles something painted 45 minutes before filming commenced that day.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The group then commenced writing lyrics for their song, alternating between singing and rapping adorably.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • Several Palestinians suspected of hurling rocks were apprehended for questioning, the military said in a statement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Solitary confinement is frequently used as a punishment, and officers hurl verbal abuse and threats of physical abuse at detainees, attorneys wrote.
    — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurl

Browse Nearby Words

laughters
launch
launched
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Launch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launch. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on launch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about launch

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zenith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All