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
Based in Newark, New Jersey and launched from Princeton, the company supports the expansion of scalable and resilient mineral infrastructure needed for energy storage, electrification, and next-generation digital systems. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026 Treasury launched buybacks in 2024 as a technical liquidity program, expanded their frequency in 2025, and has now doubled their size within days of long yields hitting a 19-year high. — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
The pair has jointly led Rogan since launch, but to this point Soleta Rogan has been Managing Director and James Rogan the Creative Director. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 Rather than redesigning an entire missile whenever a new threat emerged, Auriga could potentially modify the much smaller effector and update the software controlling the launch. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 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
  • Over the following decades, thousands more made the journey, with the American Colonization Society helping to establish settlements along the West African coast.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Locating water that can be used by humans is vital to establishing any long-term lunar presence.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • That approach could help developers identify infrastructure constraints before construction begins.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Dehqani said reconstruction work began immediately after the refinery was hit during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in 2025.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • In true Richards’ fashion, of course, Kyle transfers her distress into throwing yet another one of her overwrought white parties, whose guest list is filled with a caravan of beloved names in the Bravo-verse.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Herkov experienced Florida’s first national championship with Wuerffel throwing touchdowns and Spurrier dialing up plays.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of throw
Noun
  • Alexandria Sheriff's Office via AP Flight 103 was 31,000 feet over Lockerbie when a bomb in the plane's forward cargo area exploded 38 minutes after takeoff from London Heathrow Airport.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Archer plans to use its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for the service.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of takeoff
Noun
  • He was scheduled to throw over the weekend with El Paso but was held back after tweaking his back while working between starts.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Then the Valkyries really pressed their advantage with a prolific scoring start to the fourth, pushing the lead to 14 points midway through the period.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of start
Verb
  • Early in this year’s war, the United States and Israel considered launching ground operations to extract nuclear material but never initiated them, judging them to be highly risky and unlikely to affect the regime’s decision-making.
    — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Oppenheimer initiates Factorial as outperform Oppenheimer says the battery manufacturer has plenty more room to run.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of initiate
Verb
  • There is no word on when the search for a new warden will commence.
    — Christopher DeRose, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Jet Set to the Beekman package commences with a Blade helicopter flight to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan (from eligible departure points), where a house car will then take you to the Beekman’s West Turret penthouse.
    — Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • The person hurled the toy during the third quarter of the Dream’s 124-88 win, recalling a trend that began last season when objects were thrown onto the court at various games.
    — Zach Powell, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Video shows the moments when the man, who appears to be a United States Postal Service employee, hurled an object at a rare albino peacock and then hit it with a stick last week.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 20 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on launch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about launch

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