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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

That's where low-angle sunlight throws mountains and crater rims into sharp relief. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026 If, when entering the latest Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti exhibition, you are thrown a bit off balance, that’s exactly the point. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

That 20 percent accuracy on such throws is fourth worst among NFL starters, ahead of only Daniel Jones, Jacoby Brissett and Ward. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 The defender made a great play, but Manning made a bad throw. — Mac Engel october 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw

Verb

Mensah tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Toney in the second overtime.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
However, Marshall tossed a critical interception with KU driving in the fourth quarter; he was picked off in the end zone.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

Fallon followed up by asking if McRae had dropped easter eggs hinting at the song’s release.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
The remains of a man who was shot in the head and stuffed into a rusted barrel found on the shore of Lake Mead after the water level dropped were identified Thursday as an Arkansas man whose decades-old killing remains unsolved.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drop

Noun

Because the phenomenon typically reaches its greatest strength around December, NOAA says there’s a 75% chance that the current El Niño will exceed the strength of previous events dating back to at least 1950.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
The strongest upper-level forcing will remain northwest of DFW, creating a sharp gradient in rain chances.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of chance

Verb

The settlers hurled stones with slings and set the groves on fire, chasing a group of journalists about 80 yards from the scene.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
The protest turned violent when a group of young people wearing masks hurled rocks at riot police, who responded with stun grenades, tear gas and a water cannon.

— Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurl

Noun

Eleven years later, that gamble is looking like an absolute steal.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a final appeal to voters considering a path toward independence in his home province of Alberta on Friday, warning that a referendum is a dangerous gamble at a time of growing threats to Canada’s sovereignty.

— Rob Gillies, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of gamble

Verb

What’s more, even as they are defined by death, bogs are also springboards for unusual and unlikely life-forms that extend our understanding of biology—from acid-flinging mosses to amphibian-eating plants.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
The refs have also flung their hankies for 177 false starts, the biggest tally in nearly 20 years.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fling

Noun

Dazzle, the new venture, is a personal AI assistant that learns from the photos on a user’s phone, said Mayer.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Founders can also pursue a new business idea if the original venture changes or ends, provided that the new plan meets those standards.

— Bernardo Saraiva, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of venture

Cite this Entry

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“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of throw

verb

noun

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