catapulted

Shot through air

Catapulted is the past tense of catapult, meaning to hurl or launch with sudden force.

The literal sense comes from the ancient siege weapon that flung projectiles.

The figurative sense dominates modern usage: The viral video catapulted her to fame.

Something that catapults moves or changes with dramatic speed and force.

launched

projectile

Launched airborne object

hurlThrow with great force
propelForce into motion
flingForceful toss, or tryst

eject · thrust · heave · sling · lob · shoot · fire · release · send · toss

siege

trebuchet

Counterweight-powered projectile launcher

mangonelTorsion-powered medieval catapult
onagerAsiatic wild ass
fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients

castle · assault · besiege · rampart · medieval · warfare · bombardment · payload · tension · counterweight

meteoric

skyrocket

Rise sharply and suddenly

rocketedMoved swiftly upward
vaultedCurved overhead, or leaped
propelledCaused to move forward

launched · thrust · elevated · accelerated · boosted · advanced · promoted · soared · ascended · risen

sudden

abrupt

Sharp and unexpected

swiftMoving with speed
instantaneousHappening without any delay
rapidMoving with haste

unexpected · startling · jolting · precipitous · impulsive · spontaneous · hasty · jerky · forceful · violent

Opposites

manner of movement/placement

catapultedlowered

Moved downward or reduced

set down · laid · eased · deposited · settled

trajectory/direction

catapulteddropped

Let fall downward

plummeted · fell · anchored · grounded · descended

metaphorical rise/advancement

catapulteddemoted

Reduced in rank

toppled · relegated · cast down · brought low · held back

Phrases

catapult launchForceful mechanical projection

Family

catapult, catapults, catapulting

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G