ballistic missile
noun
plural ballistic missiles
: a usually rocket-powered missile that is launched in a high arc under guidance for its ascent but that is unpowered and unguided once it begins its descent compare cruise missile, guided missile
Examples of ballistic missile in a Sentence
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About half of Iran's stockpile of ballistic missiles and its associated launch systems were still intact as of the start of the ceasefire in early April, three of the officials told CBS News.
—
Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The ship carries a range of other weaponry, including torpedoes, Tomahawk missiles for land attacks, Standard interceptors for ballistic missile defense and Sea Sparrow missiles for short-range missile and aircraft defense.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
As tensions with the Soviet Union escalate, Pathfinder is armed with ballistic missiles.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Roughly half of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers were still intact and thousands of one-way attack drones remained in its arsenal as of earlier this month, NBC News reported.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballistic missile
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Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The ship carries a range of other weaponry, including torpedoes, Tomahawk missiles for land attacks, Standard interceptors for ballistic missile defense and Sea Sparrow missiles for short-range missile and aircraft defense.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
As tensions with the Soviet Union escalate, Pathfinder is armed with ballistic missiles.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Roughly half of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers were still intact and thousands of one-way attack drones remained in its arsenal as of earlier this month, NBC News reported.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballistic missile
Cite this Entry
“Ballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballistic%20missile. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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