TOSS Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of toss are cast , fling , hurl , pitch , sling , and throw . While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

Q: Where would 'cast' be a reasonable alternative to 'toss'?

In some situations, the words cast and toss are roughly equivalent. However, cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. // cast it to the winds

Q: When would 'fling' be a good substitute for 'toss'?

The meanings of fling and toss largely overlap; however, fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

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

While in some cases nearly identical to toss , hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: In what contexts can 'pitch' take the place of 'toss'?

Although the words pitch and toss have much in common, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: When is 'sling' a more appropriate choice than 'toss'?

While the synonyms sling and toss are close in meaning, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

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

The words throw and toss are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

toss

verb

ˈtȯs

Definition of toss

as in to sway

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions the boat tossed to and fro in the heavy seas

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as in to fidget

to make jerky or restless movements tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to sleep in the heat

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as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm toss that football over here

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as in to discard

to get rid of as useless or unwanted we need to go through the basement and toss whatever we don't use

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word toss distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of toss are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, sling, and throw. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

Where would cast be a reasonable alternative to toss?

In some situations, the words cast and toss are roughly equivalent. However, cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When would fling be a good substitute for toss?

The meanings of fling and toss largely overlap; however, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When might hurl be a better fit than toss?

While in some cases nearly identical to toss, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

In what contexts can pitch take the place of toss?

Although the words pitch and toss have much in common, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When is sling a more appropriate choice than toss?

While the synonyms sling and toss are close in meaning, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When could throw be used to replace toss?

The words throw and toss are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

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 toss Ohtani turned to the Dodgers’ dugout, spread his arms wide and tossed his bat to the side. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Arrange in a single layer and roast, tossing occasionally, until tender and browned, 15–25 minutes. — Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Ohtani tossed his bat and raised his arms to celebrate as the Dodgers took a 4-0 lead in the second inning. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 Wembanyama got his first points off the night after stonewalling Sacramento center Domantas Sabonis at one end, dribbling the length of the court off the rebound, then tossing the ball off the backboard to himself for a dunk. — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss

Verb

The specialists working on the mission had to ensure the drone could carry a human being without flipping over or swaying excessively, according to the unit.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Stop-gaps and sweeteners may sway some voters towards Tinubu in January.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sway

Verb

Following this concern, 55% of parents said their top concern was their child’s ability to complete multistep tasks such as homework while 45% of parents cited fidgeting.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026
The current boom is driven by Gen Z’s openness about mental health, social-commerce virality on TikTok and Etsy, and a broader nervous-system regulation movement that treats fidgeting as a legitimate coping tool rather than a bad habit.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of fidget

Verb

Young men from the village threw stones back, Khrzhanovskiy said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
That sudden ascent, for a band spiritually in league with the Velvet Underground and Suicide, led some to wonder what exactly happened behind the social media scenes to get them there (one conspiratorial phrase got thrown around in particular).

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of throw

Verb

As for privacy, Mayer said users can grant Dazzle full, partial, or no access to their photos and images that are sensitive are immediately discarded.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Out of 120 million tons of clothing that was discarded globally in 2024, 80 percent went to incinerators or landfills.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of discard

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

Verb

Analysts are perking up about CoreWeave, even though investors are dumping shares and interest rates are rising in the economy.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Republicans have dumped hundreds of millions into the race to support Paxton, even as there have been leaks of audio clips of Paxton appearing to disparage national involvement in the race.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dump

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

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Synonyms of toss

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Synonyms of toss

verb

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Phrases Containing toss

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Cite this Entry

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