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

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

Additional air defenses will be brought to the region, U.S. officials said, including more Patriot and Thaad antimissile systems, which would be essential for fending off any Iranian counter blows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 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