Supersonic

adjective (also used attributively); occasionally noun

/ˌsuː.pəˈsɒn.ɪk/

Travelling at a speed greater than the speed of sound in the same medium (approximately 343 metres per second or Mach 1 in air at sea level).

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's induction of supersonic cruise missiles such as the BrahMos has materially sharpened its conventional deterrence, compressing an adversary's reaction window and recalibrating the strategic balance along contested frontiers.

Synonyms

faster-than-soundtransonichypersonicultra-fasthigh-velocity

Antonyms

subsonicslowsluggish

🌱 Word Family

supersonic (adj/n), supersonically (adv), supersonics (n), supersound (n, rare)

🔡 Root

Latin super- = above + sonus = sound + -ic = adjectival suffix; first recorded 1919

📜 Etymology

From Latin super- ("above") + sonus ("sound") + -ic; first recorded in 1919, originally meaning "relating to sound waves beyond human hearing," but by 1934 it described speeds exceeding the speed of sound, with ultrasonic taking the earlier meaning.

🧠 Memory Hook

Break it as SUPER + SONIC: "super" (above/beyond) the "sonic" (sound) barrier — go beyond the speed of sound, like a fighter jet bursting past Mach 1.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2025 — Defence Technology
Prelims 2023 — Defence Technology
Prelims 2017 — Defence Technology

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Supersonic” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🔬 Science & Technology 📖 Seen in: Defence Technology — Missiles, Nuclear...

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