pitch 1 of 2

noun

Definition of pitchnext
1
as in dive
an act or instance of diving the daring pitch of the escaped prisoner into the swirling ocean waters at the base of the cliff

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2
as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the steep pitch of the roof makes it too dangerous to walk on

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pitch

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position needed help pitching a tent

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2
as in to plunge
to cast oneself head first into deep water when a wave hit the float, I lost my balance and pitched into the lake

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to sway
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions the ship pitched in the choppy sea

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4
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm pitched the baseball almost 50 feet

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5
as in to dump
to get rid of as useless or unwanted we decided to pitch that whole system and start over again

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6
as in to promote
to provide publicity for the cutting-edge ad agency was hired to pitch our products to a younger generation of consumers

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7
as in to slope
to set or cause to be at an angle the roof should be pitched steeply enough to prevent an excessive accumulation of snow

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word pitch distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of pitch are cast, fling, hurl, sling, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When could cast be used to replace pitch?

The synonyms cast and pitch are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 pitch?

The words fling and pitch can be used in similar contexts, but fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

In what contexts can hurl take the place of pitch?

Although the words hurl and pitch have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When is it sensible to use sling instead of pitch?

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

slung the bag over his shoulder

Where would throw be a reasonable alternative to pitch?

The words throw and pitch 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

When can toss be used instead of pitch?

The meanings of toss and pitch largely overlap; however, 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 pitch
Noun
Jhonny Pereda was hit by a pitch before scoring on a two-out double by Randy Arozarena to give the Mariners a 2-0 lead in the third. —CBS News, 19 May 2026 McDevitt then hit Tristan Bisetta with a pitch, but recovered to get the next three batters. —Jace Denison, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Verb
The initiative offers independent creators and producers the opportunity to pitch original concepts directly to NBCUniversal television executives. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 May 2026 But when Paul Baran pitched his idea to the company, the response was a mix of skepticism and condescension. —Laura Isensee, Scientific American, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pitch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitch
  1. dive
  2. slope
  3. erect
  4. plunge
  5. sway
  6. throw
  7. dump
  8. promote
Noun
  • In a statement on Friday, May 15, Italy's foreign ministry said there were 20 other Italian nationals who went out to sea that day, but did not take part in the dive and remain unharmed.
    — Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • The Parker Solar Probe has been repeatedly dive-bombing the sun ever since its launch in 2018 to measure the solar environment very close to our star’s surface for the first time.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
Definition of dive
Noun
  • All sorts of variables are logged if available — altitude, lie, slope.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • The comfortable seating area in the living room includes couches and armchairs set in front of the TV and fireplace for relaxing after a day on the slopes, and a dining table provides a nice spot to relax and eat.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Definition of slope
Verb
  • According to the organization, Sánchez’s administration has not only ushered in a slate of reforms but also erected guardrails against the country’s rising far-right movements.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 14 May 2026
  • Trump has erected other roadblocks for the industry, while going all-in on fossil fuels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Brent crude plunged nearly 11%.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 May 2026
  • Hannah Berner wears a plunging neckline ensemble to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Launch party in New York City on May 14.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Definition of plunge
Verb
  • Of all the factors that could sway Giannis, with all due respect to Bam, the respect element likely is not at the top of the list.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2026
  • But during the aufguss ceremony at BASIN Glacial Waters, people smiled and laughed and swayed to the music, and Kyan’s dance-like towel moves distracted me from the discomfort of the heat.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
Definition of sway
Verb
  • Ha-Seong Kim lined a two-strike fastball off Chapman’s leg that Chapman eventually found along the first-base line before throwing to first for the final out.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 17 May 2026
  • For one thing, that extra speed—plus a spike in spin, which has allowed pitchers to throw harder while also making the ball swerve, dive, and kick—has given pitchers an even greater advantage over batters than before.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Definition of throw
Verb
  • Ferm Living stackable metal baskets keep you from dumping clothes in a pile.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2026
  • As college athletic departments desperately look for money to pay mostly football and men’s basketball players, dumping a golf, tennis, track or swimming and diving program is an easy way to help with the budget.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Definition of dump
Verb
  • The top professional sports leagues formed a coalition with some broadcasters, including NBC and Fox, three years ago and agreed that betting should be marketed only to fans of legal age and that excessive gambling should not be promoted.
    — Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
  • Musk promoted the accomplishment on Twitter.
    — Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Definition of promote

Phrases Containing pitch

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pit bulls
pitch
pitch-black
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Cite this Entry

“Pitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitch. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pitch

Nglish: Translation of pitch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pitch

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