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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Now the situation is somewhat reversed and it is Israel’s antimissile defenses that will help protect the F-22s based in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 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

Zelensky has other weapons priorities he is also expected to pursue in Washington, including securing more antimissile interceptors for U.S.-supplied Patriot batteries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

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

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell