What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
torpedo
Example
The submarine fired a torpedo at the enemy ship. [torpedo: noun]
Example
The scandal could torpedo his political career. [torpedo: verb]
projectile
Example
The police used rubber bullets as non-lethal projectiles to disperse the crowd. [projectile: noun]
Example
The catapult launched the projectile over the castle walls. [projectile: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Projectile is a more commonly used term than torpedo in everyday language. Projectile is a versatile term that can refer to a wide range of objects, while torpedo is a more specialized term that is primarily used in military or naval contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between torpedo and projectile?
Both torpedo and projectile are formal terms that are typically used in technical or military contexts.
