as in launch
a rising from a surface at the start of a flight (as of a rocket) everyone was quiet in the control room as they waited for lift-off

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 liftoff On March 6, the company's eighth test flight, the Starship rocket exploded after liftoff in Texas. Bailey Richards, People.com, 28 May 2025 And about 30 minutes after liftoff, SpaceX confirmed a leak in Starship's fuel tank systems. Marissa Parra, NBC news, 28 May 2025 The upper stage reached space on a suborbital trajectory but began tumbling about 30 minutes after liftoff. Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 June 2025 One year later after liftoff, PEOPLE is looking back at the Boeing Starliner saga. Jillian Frankel, People.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for liftoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liftoff
Noun
  • But Washington retains the sole authority to order a nuclear launch.
    FLORENCE GAUB, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • That’s how many people Lutnick claims registered for the $5 million Trump Gold Card visa on its website in the days immediately following the website’s June 11 launch.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Max lost a piece of its fuselage known as a mid-exit door (MED) plug shortly after takeoff.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • American Airlines Flight 1665 was forced to return to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS) shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical issue, the airline said in a statement.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liftoff. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on liftoff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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