anti-tank

A soldier aims an anti-tank weapon at a distant target.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Designed to destroy or defend against tanks: An "anti-tank" weapon, device, or measure is specifically created to combat armored military vehicles, particularly tanks.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The soldiers deployed an anti-tank missile to stop the advancing column. (A weapon designed to destroy tanks.)
  • Anti-tank obstacles were placed along the road to block enemy vehicles. (Barriers meant to hinder or damage tanks.)

Advanced Usage

• "Anti-tank gun": A large-caliber artillery piece used to fire projectiles at tanks.

  • The anti-tank gun was positioned on the hill for maximum range. (A cannon specialized for tank destruction.)

• "Anti-tank mine": A buried explosive device that detonates when a tank drives over it.

  • The field was cleared of anti-tank mines before the infantry advanced. (Explosives designed to disable tanks.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tank (n): a heavily armored combat vehicle.

  • The tank rolled across the battlefield. (An armored fighting vehicle.)

• Anti-tank warfare (n): military tactics and equipment for combating tanks.

  • Anti-tank warfare has evolved with the development of guided missiles. (Strategies and weapons to counter tanks.)

Synonyms

• Tank-destroying: directly neutralizing tanks.

  • The tank-destroying round penetrated the armor. (A projectile that destroys tanks.)

• Armor-piercing: designed to penetrate armored vehicles.

  • Armor-piercing ammunition is often used in anti-tank roles. (Bullets or shells that go through armor.)

Related Idioms

• "To be anti-tank": (rare, informal) to be strongly opposed to something, by analogy with military terminology.
  • He is anti-tank when it comes to corporate policies. (He is strongly against corporate policies, though this usage is metaphorical and uncommon.)