antiballistic missile

noun

an·​ti·​bal·​lis·​tic missile
ˌan-tē-bə-ˈli-stik-,
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antiballistic missile (audio)
: a missile for intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles

Examples of antiballistic missile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Treaties to limit the proliferation and use of nuclear weapons have expired, more nations than ever before are poised to develop new arsenals, and potential destabilizing factors such as antiballistic missile defense systems and novel hypersonic weapons platforms continue to multiply. The Editors, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2021 Russian military hardware, including antiballistic missile systems, now sit on the soil of Turkey and Greece (both NATO members), as well as in Iran and Syria; America’s regional partner Saudi Arabia recently agreed to buy such systems too. Kathryn E. Stoner, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2020 The diplomat, Aleksei Karpov, Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna, blamed the United States for setting Russia on the path to developing a new device by withdrawing from an antiballistic missile treaty over 15 years ago. Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2019 Even the installation of Thaad, an antiballistic missile defense system the U.S. recently sent to South Korea, has provoked controversy in the country, where many are old enough to remember the trauma of the Korean War. Paul Sonne, WSJ, 5 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antiballistic missile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antiballistic missile was circa 1957

Dictionary Entries Near antiballistic missile

Cite this Entry

“Antiballistic missile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiballistic%20missile. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

antiballistic missile

noun
an·​ti·​bal·​lis·​tic missile ˌant-i-bə-ˌlis-tik- How to pronounce antiballistic missile (audio)
ˌan-ˌtī-
: a missile for stopping and destroying ballistic missiles

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