Quick answer
Catapult means to hurl or launch with great force; a device that does so. It is usually pronounced KAT-uh-pult, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Catapult
To catapult means to hurl or launch with great force; a device that does so. It belongs to ridiculous verbs and works best in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
verbcomical-actionexpressive
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you catapult, you to hurl or launch with great force; a device that does so. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Catapult feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Catapult is generally traced to from Greek through Latin forms for shield-piercer or missile machine. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Catapult is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The interns began to catapult at once when the projector failed again.
- He catapulted through the explanation so fast that nobody trusted the final answer.
- In the play, nervous witnesses catapult whenever the magistrate clears his throat.
- She refused to catapult about the crisis and gave the room a usable plan instead.
- The children catapulted excitedly after finding the attic full of costumes.
When should you use this word?
Use catapult when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
Similar words
launch, hurl, propel, fling
Opposite or contrasting words
lower, drop gently, hold back
Common questions
- What does catapult mean? to hurl or launch with great force; a device that does so.
- How do you pronounce catapult? It is commonly pronounced KAT-uh-pult.
- Is catapult still used today? Catapult is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use catapult? Use catapult when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
- What words are similar to catapult? Similar words include launch, hurl, propel, and fling.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.