ricochet

American  

[rik-uh-shey, rik-uh-shey, rik-uh-shet] / ˌrɪk əˈʃeɪ, ˈrɪk əˌʃeɪ, ˈrɪk əˌʃɛt /

noun

1. the motion of an object or a projectile in rebounding or deflecting from a surface one or more times as a result of a glancing blow.

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verb (used without object)

ricocheted, ricocheting, ricochetted, ricochetting

1. to move by rebounding or deflecting from a surface, as a projectile.

   Synonyms:

   glance, deflect, rebound

ricochet British  

/ ˈrɪkəˌʃeɪ, ˈrɪkəˌʃɛt /

verb

1. (intr) (esp of a bullet) to rebound from a surface or surfaces, usually with a characteristic whining or zipping sound

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noun

1. the motion or sound of a rebounding object, esp a bullet

2. an object, esp a bullet, that ricochets

Etymology

Origin of ricochet

First recorded in 1760–70; from French; further origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Because helium’s industrial uses are so broad, shortages are ricocheting through multiple sectors and countries at once.

From The Wall Street Journal

He slammed into the trunk of a tree, ricocheting off.

From Literature

Now, the template of how the team made a softer, affordable diaper is ricocheting across the $33 billion company.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reaves chucked up a line drive that ricocheted off the front of the rim and toward his left.

From Los Angeles Times

The court ruling was the latest legal move to ricochet through the interoceanic waterway, which handles about 40 percent of US container traffic and five percent of world trade.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bounce back
• deflect