as in airports
an area from which a rocket is launched
—often used figuratively
The TV cameras were focused on the launchpad as the time for liftoff approached. The program she hosted on local radio was the launchpad for her network career.
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Recent Examples of launchpads
Once reliable job launchpads in gateway fields such as finance, consulting, and journalism now routinely demand two or more years of prior experience.
—
Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Or the way Karl Lagerfeld turned Grand Palais into supermarkets, icebergs, and rocket launchpads.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 17 Aug. 2025
Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Or the way Karl Lagerfeld turned Grand Palais into supermarkets, icebergs, and rocket launchpads.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpads
Noun
-
In the 23 years since its independence, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in nation building, expanding critical infrastructure like roads, airports, and internet access.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Keep a 1-liter Ziploc bag tucked in your toiletry kit for those airports (looking at you, CDG) that insist all liquids be packed in one.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The new species was identified by its coloring, scale arrangement, body proportions, finger and toe pads, pores and other subtle physical features, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Marchenko kept the heat on by stealing a page from Johnson’s book of tricks, sliding it through Silovs’ pads.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Ukraine sees them as a way to strike Russian command centers, logistics hubs, and airfields currently out of reach.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Supplying Tomahawk missiles, which can travel 1,500 miles, could enable Ukraine to hit targets deep inside Russian territory, including military bases, logistics hubs, airfields, and command centers.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Launchpads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpads. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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