Verb
They catapulted rocks toward the castle.
The publicity catapulted her CD to the top of the charts.
The novel catapulted him from unknown to best-selling author.
He catapulted to fame after his first book was published.
Her career was catapulting ahead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
When an operator at the front needs one a drone is launched from a catapult and flies automatically to the specified area.—David Hambling, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 The Sichuan is capable of launching fighter jets and unmanned drones from an electromagnetic catapult.—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
Before the boat has even slowed, my guide Jairo Zuñiga rushes toward the bow, spinning rod in hand, and catapults a popper directly into the action.—Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2025 The Michigan product continued to excel against the run, but also flashed some ability as a pass-rusher which could catapult his draft stock.—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catapult
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle French or Latin; Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs, from kata- + pallein to hurl
Share