What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Catapult vs Thrust - What's the difference?

catapult | thrust |

In figuratively|lang=en terms the difference between catapult and thrust

is that catapult is (figuratively) an instance of firing something, as if from a catapult while thrust is (figuratively) the primary effort; the goal.

As nouns the difference between catapult and thrust

is that catapult is a device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects, such as a mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck while thrust is (fencing) an attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point.

As verbs the difference between catapult and thrust

is that catapult is to fire a missile from a catapult while thrust is (lb) to make advance with.

catapult

Noun

  • A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects, such as a mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
  • (UK) slingshot
  • An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.
  • (figuratively) An instance of firing something, as if from a catapult.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=13 March , author=Chris Bevan , title=Stoke 2 - 1 West Ham , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The visitors were given notice of what was to come when Huth headed wide from a Rory Delap long throw but failed to heed the warning, allowing the German defender to rise unmarked to meet another Delap catapult and plant his header into the net after 12 minutes. }}

    Verb

  • To fire a missile from a catapult.
  • To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.
  • To increase the status of something rapidly.
  • The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=November 12 , author= , title=International friendly: England 1-0 Spain , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=England will not be catapulted among the favourites for Euro 2012 as a result of this win, but no victory against Spain is earned easily and it is right they take great heart from their efforts as they now prepare to play Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday.}}
  • To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult.
  • To have one's status increased rapidly.
  • She catapulted to the national scene following her selection by the candidate.

    See also

    * ballista * crossbow * onager * siege engine * trebuchet, trebucket

    thrust

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (fencing) An attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point.
  • Pierre was a master swordsman, and could parry the thrusts of lesser men with barely a thought.
  • A push, stab, or lunge forward (the act thereof.)
  • The cutpurse tried to knock her satchel from her hands, but she avoided his thrust and yelled, "Thief!"
  • The force generated by propulsion, as in a jet engine.
  • Spacecraft are engineering marvels, designed to resist the thrust of liftoff, as well as the reverse pressure of the void.
  • (figuratively) The primary effort; the goal.
  • Ostensibly, the class was about public health in general, but the main thrust was really sex education.

    Synonyms

    * (push, stab, or lunge forward ): break, dart, grab * (force generated by propulsion ): lift, push * (primary effort or goal ): focus, gist, point

    Verb

  • (lb) To make advance with .
  • :
  • (lb) To something upon someone.
  • :
  • (lb) To push out or extend rapidly or powerfully.
  • :
  • *
  • *:Three chairs of the steamer type, all maimed, comprised the furniture of this roof-garden, withon one of the copings a row of four red clay flower-pots filled with sun-baked dust from which gnarled and rusty stalks thrust themselves up like withered elfin limbs.
  • (lb) To push or drive with force; to shove.
  • :
  • *(John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • *:Into a dungeon thrust , to work with slaves.
  • (lb) To enter by pushing; to squeeze in.
  • *(John Dryden) (1631-1700)
  • *:And thrust between my father and the god.
  • To stab; to pierce; usually with through .
  • Synonyms

    * (advance with force) attack, charge, rush * (force upon someone) compel, charge, force * (push out or extend rapidly and powerfully) dart, reach, stab