MISSILES Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

missiles

noun

plural of missile

as in ammunitions

an object that is thrown, shot, or launched as a weapon The protesters were arrested for throwing missiles at the police.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

blanks

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 missiles After Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza began in October 2023, the Houthis launched missiles against Israel and began targeting shipping in the Red Sea. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 The system is made up of radars, command-and-control systems and different types of interceptor missiles. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Lockheed Martin is the Pentagon’s largest contractor, responsible for supplying the military with thousands of tactical and strategic missiles. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026 The crux of information reported by the outlet, as well as other prominent news agencies, was that the new Air Force One lacked the defensive countermeasures to evade missiles and other threats. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026 As drone threats continue to evolve, defense organisations are increasingly seeking systems that can counter large numbers of low-cost aerial targets without relying on expensive interceptor missiles. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026 Thanks to some supernatural enhancements, Princess Donut gains the ability to speak and the power to shoot magic missiles from her eyes. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026 More expensive interceptor missiles means fewer interceptors are bought, which means fewer are on hand when needed. — David Szondy july 22, New Atlas, 23 July 2026 Yet American troops are getting killed in their barracks by cheap Iranian missiles and drones, and their leaders haven’t thought through adequate countermeasures. — Andrew Exum, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for missiles

Noun

Johntaya Alexander, 21; Yamile Martinez, 21; and Melinda Davis, 57, died within seconds after the shooting started, caught in a barrage of bullets at 10th and K streets.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Others cited safety concerns for the rapidly growing community as free shooting on BLM land within city limits, leading to at least one instance of stray bullets hitting homes being built in the foothills above Eagle.

— Noah Daly July 24, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026

Definition of bullets

Noun

Kansas’ three Democratic governor hopefuls dug in on the issues and took shots at each other’s integrity and effectiveness in an hourlong Tuesday-evening television debate hosted by Topeka’s WIBW.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
De Larrea took most of his shots from 3 and mostly missed them, shooting 4 of 20 from distance.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of shots

Noun

Much of the ground there has turned black with ash and many cars have been reduced to empty shells of twisted metal.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
When mixtures of rare earth elements were introduced into the layered manganese oxide, the heavier elements—with their smaller hydration shells—fit more comfortably inside the narrow channels and bound tightly to the material.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Definition of shells

Noun

That’s not including contributions from Gold Glove winners Abreu and Rafaela in the outfield, who not only have the range to track down balls but have arms that make teams think twice about advancing.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 24 July 2026
The ticket matched four of the white balls and the gold Mega Ball on Tuesday, July 21, to score $10,000, according to the Idaho Lottery.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

Definition of balls

Browse Nearby Words

missile

missiles

missing

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Missiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missiles. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of missiles

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on missiles

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inveigle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes