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 a House hearing on Tuesday, Michael Duffey, the Pentagon’s top official for weapons procurement, acknowledged the redeployment of Thaad antimissile assets had occurred.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The Thaad antimissile system was deployed to Israel in 2024, along with the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

That war showed that even the world’s most advanced antimissile systems can be penetrated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

In addition, some 1,000 American troops who are operating Aegis Ashore antimissile defenses, among other missions, will remain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 29, 2025

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

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell