catapult

1 of 2

noun

cat·​a·​pult ˈka-tə-ˌpəlt How to pronounce catapult (audio)
-ˌpu̇lt
Synonyms of catapult
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)

Illustration of catapult

Illustration of catapult
  • catapult 1

catapult

2 of 2

verb

catapulted; catapulting; catapults

transitive verb

: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult

intransitive verb

: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame

Synonyms of catapult

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Verb

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Examples of catapult in a Sentence

Verb They catapulted rocks toward the castle. The publicity catapulted her CD to the top of the charts. The novel catapulted him from unknown to best-selling author. He catapulted to fame after his first book was published. Her career was catapulting ahead.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Young Bucks hit the catapult kick followed by a double-stomp from Nick Jackson on Ospreay for a nearfall. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 The achievement is significant because the J-15T was initially developed for China’s newest aircraft carrier, Fujian, which features a modern electromagnetic catapult launch system. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
Verb
The Iran war triggered a historic oil shortage that drove up fuel costs and catapulted inflation to a three-year high in May, the same month Warsh took the helm of the central bank. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 July 2026 Bernard Arnault has made a series of successful buy-ins that have catapulted his wealth to new heights, including the likes of Google and most famously, the luxury giant LVMH. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for catapult

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French or Latin; Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs, from kata- + pallein to hurl

First Known Use

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1848, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of catapult was in 1577

Rhymes for catapult

See All Rhymes for catapult

Browse Nearby Words

cataplexy
catapult
cataract
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catapult. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

catapult

1 of 2 noun
cat·​a·​pult ˈkat-ə-ˌpəlt How to pronounce catapult (audio)
-ˌpu̇lt
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane (as from the deck of an aircraft carrier)

catapult

2 of 2 verb
1
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
2
: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame

More from Merriam-Webster on catapult

Nglish: Translation of catapult for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catapult

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