throw up

verb

threw up; thrown up; throwing up; throws up
Synonyms of throw upnext

intransitive verb

: vomit

transitive verb

1
: vomit
2
: to raise quickly
3
: to build hurriedly
new houses thrown up almost overnight
4
: give up, quit
… the urge … to throw up all intellectual work …—Norman Mailer
5
: to bring forth : produce
6
: to make distinct especially by contrast : cause to stand out
7
: to mention repeatedly by way of reproach
see also:
throw up one's hands

Synonyms of throw up

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Examples of throw up in a Sentence

she must have eaten something that didn't agree with her because she threw up right after dinner when the townspeople realized that the President's motorcade would be coming through on its way to the conference, they threw up a hasty “Welcome” sign
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared to suffer a cramp in his left foot, threw up, and took a medical time-out to have his back massaged between the fourth and fifth sets before losing to Argentine player Mariano Navone. — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026 If the individual begins throwing up, or if symptoms get worse or last for over an hour – call 911. — Chad Murphy, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2026 Still, cooking is the first and only thing that’s given Tiedemann purpose, so the better option seems to be throwing up a middle finger and getting back to work. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 Otto Lopez wound up beating out an infield single despite an incredible stop and throw up the middle from second baseman Anthony Seigler, but the Red Sox caught a break when Marsee broke for home. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throw up

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of throw up was in the 15th century

Rhymes for throw up

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Browse Nearby Words

throw to the wolves
throw up
throw up one's hands
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throw up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%20up. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

throw up

verb
1
: to build or raise hurriedly or quickly
threw up the window
2
: to give up : quit
just wanted to throw the whole thing up
3
: vomit entry 2 sense 1

Medical Definition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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