catapult

[ kat-uh-puhlt, -poolt ]

/ ˈkæt əˌpʌlt, -ˌpʊlt /

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See synonyms for: catapult / catapulted / catapulting on Thesaurus.com

noun

an ancient military engine for hurling stones, arrows, etc.

a device for launching an airplane from the deck of a ship.

British. a slingshot.

verb (used with object)

to hurl from a catapult.

to thrust or move quickly or suddenly: His brilliant performance in the play catapulted him to stardom.

British.

to hurl (a missile) from a slingshot.
to hit (an object) with a missile from a slingshot.

verb (used without object)

to be catapulted.

to move or spring up suddenly, quickly, or forcibly, as if by means of a catapult: The car catapulted down the highway. When he heard the alarm he catapulted out of bed.

SYNONYMS FOR catapult

5 throw, fling, propel, pitch, shoot.

See synonyms for catapult on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of catapult

1570–80; <Latin catapulta<Greek katapéltēs, equivalent to kata-cata- + péltēs hurler, akin to pállein to hurl

OTHER WORDS FROM catapult

cat·a·pul·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for catapult

It is a linguistic wish for the same kind of campaign that catapulted Barack Obama forward from the caucuses.
The Coronation That Wants to Be a Movement: Scenes From Hillary’s Iowa Steak Fry|Ana Marie Cox|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Duke Ellington, for instance, who really catapulted to fame late in 1927.
When New York City Hit Its Stride|Allen Barra|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once 2007 rolled along, Kardashian's Ray J sex tape catapulted her to fame, helping her eclipse her former employer.
Kim Kardashian’s Days as Paris Hilton’s Lowly Assistant|Amy Zimmerman|May 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His daredevil talent catapulted him to global fame as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.
Formula 1 Champion Michael Schumacher In Coma After Ski Accident|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

A number of passengers had been catapulted through the windows, in one instance with tragic results.
Amazing Grace in the Bronx: Inside the Metro-North Train-Wreck Rescue|Michael Daly|December 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Braceway struck the arm of his chair and catapulted himself into a standing position.
The Winning Clue|James Hay, Jr.
In growing bewilderment, Captain Higgins ordered a plane catapulted into the air, to search the surrounding sea.
The Lost Warship|Robert Moore Williams
Before dawn, Captain Higgins ordered another catapulted into the sky, to search the surrounding area.
The Lost Warship|Robert Moore Williams
Before Nap's worried eyes, a little swish of white catapulted over the plate.
The Boy Scouts of Lakeville High|Leslie W. Quirk
As he did so, a man catapulted down the stairs, and rushed for the gate.
Connie Morgan in the Lumber Camps|James B. Hendryx

British Dictionary definitions for catapult

catapult

/ (ˈkætəˌpʌlt) /

noun

a Y-shaped implement with a loop of elastic fastened to the ends of the two prongs, used mainly by children for shooting small stones, etcUS and Canadian name: slingshot

a heavy war engine used formerly for hurling stones, etc

a device installed in warships to launch aircraft

verb

(tr) to shoot forth from or as if from a catapult

(foll by over, into, etc) to move precipitatelyshe was catapulted to stardom overnight

Word Origin for catapult

C16: from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapeltēs, from kata- down + pallein to hurl

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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catapult