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catapult

11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for catapult, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A device for hurling or launching objects, historically used as a weapon.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

How to use catapult

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

catapult to fame catapult someone into the spotlight

Etymology

From Latin catapulta, from Ancient Greek katapeltes, from kata- ("down, against") plus pallein ("to hurl a missile").

Full origin of catapult →

Frequently asked questions

What does “catapult” mean?

The word “catapult” means a device for hurling or launching objects, historically used as a weapon. In plain terms, a device (or weapon) for launching things, or figuratively, to suddenly propel someone to fame or success.

How do you pronounce “catapult”?

“Catapult” is pronounced KA-tuh-puhlt (/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/ in IPA).

How do you use “catapult” in a sentence?

Here is “catapult” used in a sentence: “The castle was besieged with catapults hurling boulders.”

What part of speech is “catapult”?

Depending on how it is used, “catapult” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “catapult” come from?

The word “catapult” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin catapulta, from Ancient Greek katapeltes, from kata- ("down, against") plus pallein ("to hurl a missile").

How many meanings does “catapult” have?

“Catapult” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device for hurling or launching objects, historically used as a weapon.

Related words

ballista catapeltic crossbow onager siege engine trebuchet trebucket

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.