ricochet
9 synonyms for ricochet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it.
“The stray bullet was a ricochet off the concrete wall.”
How to use ricochet
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ricochet off the wall
stray ricochet
Etymology
Borrowed from French ricochet; the word's ultimate origin before that is uncertain.
Full origin of ricochet →Frequently asked questions
What does “ricochet” mean?
The word “ricochet” means the action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it. In plain terms, a bounce or glancing rebound, especially of a bullet or other projectile off a surface.
How do you pronounce “ricochet”?
“Ricochet” is pronounced RIHK-uh-shay (/ˈɹɪk.ə.ʃeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ricochet” in a sentence?
Here is “ricochet” used in a sentence: “The stray bullet was a ricochet off the concrete wall.”
What part of speech is “ricochet”?
Depending on how it is used, “ricochet” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ricochet” come from?
The word “ricochet” comes from French. Borrowed from French ricochet; the word's ultimate origin before that is uncertain.
How many meanings does “ricochet” have?
“Ricochet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the action of a projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle rather than penetrating it.
