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

Israel and Gulf states are searching for more affordable, effective solutions to their advanced antimissile capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 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

The U.S. has sent Army troops to Israel to operate the Thaad antimissile system and has previously stationed ballistic missile defense-equipped destroyers near Israel to help protect the country from missile and drone attacks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 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

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

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell