THROW Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'throw' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of throw are cast , fling , hurl , pitch , sling , and toss . While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm. // can throw a fastball and a curve

Q: In what contexts can 'cast' take the place of 'throw'?

The synonyms cast and throw are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. // cast it to the winds

Q: Where would 'fling' be a reasonable alternative to 'throw'?

While the synonyms fling and throw are close in meaning, fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

Q: When could 'hurl' be used to replace 'throw'?

The meanings of hurl and throw largely overlap; however, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: When would 'pitch' be a good substitute for 'throw'?

The words pitch and throw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: When can 'sling' be used instead of 'throw'?

In some situations, the words sling and throw are roughly equivalent. However, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

Q: When might 'toss' be a better fit than 'throw'?

Although the words toss and throw have much in common, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

throw 1 of 2

verb

ˈthrō

Definition of throw

as in to toss

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm threw a life preserver to the drowning man

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as in to drop

to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally the attacker threw his victim to the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

throw

2 of 2

noun

as in chance

a risky undertaking a desperate throw, that could jump-start his presidential campaign or end it right there

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sure thing

Synonym Chooser

How is the word throw distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of throw are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, sling, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

In what contexts can cast take the place of throw?

The synonyms cast and throw are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

Where would fling be a reasonable alternative to throw?

While the synonyms fling and throw are close in meaning, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When could hurl be used to replace throw?

The meanings of hurl and throw largely overlap; however, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When would pitch be a good substitute for throw?

The words pitch and throw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When can sling be used instead of throw?

In some situations, the words sling and throw are roughly equivalent. However, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When might toss be a better fit than throw?

Although the words toss and throw have much in common, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of throw

Verb

The settlers surrounded a Palestinian home, throwing stones while seven Palestinians were trapped inside, according to witnesses who spoke to Reuters. — Pesha Magid Reuters, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026 Phillies closer Jhoan Duran (2-4) threw a scoreless ninth and gave up an unearned run in the 10th as Philadelphia won for the 12th time in 14 games. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

Aledo looked strong in a scrimmage at Tim Buchanan Stadium, with Lewisville transfer quarterback Tre Williams completing 14 of 21 passes for 180 yards and two touchdown throws. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 Not about the throw, but about what happened in between Penix releasing the ball and Pitts catching it. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw

Verb

Royals Manager Matt Quatraro gets tossed after umpires reverse a run scoring balk taking away a run from the Royals.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
But on a recent day, Aly was salvaging bricks from his razed home, tossing the good ones in a pile to sell to construction companies.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

The informant cut a deal with prosecutors to record Vaughn and testify against him in exchange for drug charges against him being dropped.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Recent drone deliveries have not been flawless — a video spread across the internet earlier this month after an Amazon drone dropped a Texas customer’s package into her swimming pool.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of drop

Noun

Below, find last-chance deals on summer sandals, fall-ready booties, ultra-cute ballet flats, and more for up to 79 percent off.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
The chances of flash flooding within 25 miles of any location in Jefferson and Hardin counties had increased to a moderate risk of 40% to 69%, Jones said.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of chance

Verb

Loaded trucks plodded through the crowd with people in their cargo beds throwing tomatoes at the revelers — who, in turn, hurled them at one another.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
When a massive riot erupted at Soledad on Cinco de Mayo in 1968, Trejo hurled a rock that smashed a prison guard in the head.

— Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurl

Verb

The area where travelers went through border control to enter or leave China has been flattened to a muddy area, according to satellite images.

— Niranjan Shrestha, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
On the question of whether snapping a selfie flattens the experience, Loyer has never thought so.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of flatten

Verb

Buckingham’s long-standing engineer, Gary Paczosa, had respect for how Steve reacted to the many ideas Dolly flung at him.

— Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
In its breathless finale, Curry races through the mansion reconstructing every murder, flinging himself through doors and corridors while maintaining the verbal precision of a stage actor performing at double speed.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of fling

Cite this Entry

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“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of throw

verb

noun

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