torpedo
20 synonyms for torpedo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A self-propelled underwater explosive weapon fired from a ship, submarine, or aircraft to strike another vessel.
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.
How to use torpedo
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fire a torpedo
torpedo the deal
hit by a torpedo
Etymology
From Latin torpedo, originally the name of the electric ray (a fish that delivers a stunning shock) and related to torpere, "to be numb or sluggish." The military sense — a self-propelled underwater weapon — was coined by the inventor Robert Fulton in 1805.
Full origin of torpedo →Frequently asked questions
What does “torpedo” mean?
The word “torpedo” means a self-propelled underwater explosive weapon fired from a ship, submarine, or aircraft to strike another vessel. In plain terms, an underwater missile fired at ships; figuratively, to torpedo something is to sabotage it completely.
How do you pronounce “torpedo”?
“Torpedo” is pronounced taw-PEE-doh (/ˌtoɹˈpi.doʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “torpedo” in a sentence?
Here is “torpedo” used in a sentence: “The submarine fired a torpedo at the enemy destroyer.”
What part of speech is “torpedo”?
Depending on how it is used, “torpedo” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “torpedo” come from?
The word “torpedo” dates back to around 1805 and comes from Latin.
Is “torpedo” a common word?
“Torpedo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “torpedo” have?
“Torpedo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a self-propelled underwater explosive weapon fired from a ship, submarine, or aircraft to strike another vessel.
