antimissile

American  

[an-tee-mis-uhl, an-tahy-, -mis-ahyl] / ˌæn tiˈmɪs əl, ˌæn taɪ-, -ˈmɪs aɪl /

Or anti-missile

adjective

1. designed or used in defense against guided enemy missiles.

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noun

1. a ballistic device for seeking and destroying enemy missiles.

antimissile British  

/ ˌæntɪˈmɪsaɪl /

adjective

1. relating to defensive measures against missile attack

   an antimissile system

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noun

1. Also called: antimissile missile.   AMM.  a defensive missile used to intercept and destroy attacking missiles

Etymology

Origin of antimissile

First recorded in 1955–60; anti- + missile

Example Sentences

At the upper tier is the Arrow 3, which intercepts long-range ballistic missiles that leave the Earth’s atmosphere and is among the best antimissile munitions in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

The U.S. has Patriot and Thaad antimissile systems stationed throughout the region and is bringing in more, which could help blunt any Iranian attack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Trump is mounting a major program to develop space-based and other antimissile defenses, which he has dubbed “Golden Dome.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

Trump named Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein to oversee development of a "Golden Dome" antimissile shield that officials said would protect the U.S. from high-tech threats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2025

Our antimissile systems'll be modified to knock out the Exocets from now on.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell