catapult

verb

Definition of catapultnext
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm catapulted a pumpkin into the next yard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 catapult Things Fall Apart, in particular, catapulted the Roots to astronomical heights. — Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 3 Aug. 2026 Philadelphia’s surprising additions of James and Brown and Miami’s acquisition of Antetokounmpo after months of trade rumors surrounding the two-time NBA MVP catapult both teams into title contention. — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 31 July 2026 What happened in Hamburg provides a particularly egregious example of such racial terrorism catapulting political triumph. — Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catapult
  1. throw
  2. hurl
  3. toss
  4. fling
Verb
  • Back on the job the morning after the alert was lifted, Isidro threw a rope over an avocado tree about 20 feet (6 meters) high and climbed up.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The quarterback who has thrown Allen the most passes during camp practices — Patrick Mahomes — spent his time Saturday standing on the sideline.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of throw
Verb
  • Kirk got the win with 5 1/3 innings to beat NorCal in the unofficial state title game in the region opener on Sunday, two days before Martinez hurled a complete-game one-hitter to beat Hawaii in the region semifinal.
    — Dennis Pope, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In the attack on Don Maca a few days later, one of the 20 crew members said the first blast hurled him into the air.
    — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurl
Verb
  • The slab was too heavy to toss aside, and Osorio was worried there could be more people trapped underneath.
    — Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor Walls homered from both sides of the plate for the second time in his career, Nick Martinez tossed a complete game and the Tampa Bay Rays won their eighth straight game, 12-4 over the Athletics on Tuesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of toss
Verb
  • The sudden loss of mass means the strength of the primary star’s gravity drops suddenly, causing the secondary companion to get flung out into space at dizzying speeds.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In that are shades of Woodstock 1994, where Green Day and the crowd flung mud at each other, and Dirnt wound up getting his front teeth knocked out by a security guard who mistook him for a fan.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of fling

Browse Nearby Words

cataplasms
catapult
catapulted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catapult. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on catapult

Nglish: Translation of catapult for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catapult

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