throw 1 of 2

verb

ˈthrō How to pronounce throw (audio)
Definition of thrownext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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 venture
a risky undertaking a desperate throw, that could jump-start his presidential campaign or end it right there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Bivens worked as the bulk guy in a bullpen game, throwing three innings, but Mauricio’s double ended his day. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025 In his short relief stint Sunday, Harvey threw seven of his 11 pitches for strikes. —Kansas City Star, 27 July 2025
Noun
Oh yes, there’s Starlight merchandise for sale in Magic Kingdom stores, including a polyester fleece throw, T-shirts, bubble wands with lighting effects and mouse ears with Mickey and Tink that light up. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025 Ewers later had a nice throw to wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw
  1. toss
  2. drop
  3. venture
  4. hurl
  5. flatten
  6. gamble
  7. fling
  8. chance
Verb
  • Boyd’s brilliance on the evening extended his scoreless stretch to 23 innings and gave him 10 straight starts where he’s tossed at least five innings while giving up two or fewer runs.
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • Just pulse the fillet in a food processor until finely chopped, then toss it with fresh, whole-wheat breadcrumbs (made in the same processor), as well as ginger, garlic, scallion and cilantro.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
Definition of toss
Verb
  • The actor, along with an assistant director, were accused of raping an extra on the set of 2004's Hustle & Flow, but charges against them were later dropped, according to Variety.
    — Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 July 2025
  • His top individual donor was Ron Weiser, who founded real estate company McKinley and formerly chaired the Michigan Republican Party, dropped $8,325, the individual maximum.
    — Dana Afana, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of drop
Noun
  • Similar to an incubator, a start-up accelerator is an investment company that looks to grow a new venture in exchange for a stake in the business.
    — Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
  • Matta, which raised around $5 million in venture funding last year, is building a trust layer that lets global manufacturers treat African suppliers as equals, not just alternatives.
    — Olumuyiwa Olowogboyega, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of venture
Verb
  • Videos posted on social media showed men dressed in clothes bearing far-right symbols and migrants carrying Moroccan flags hurling objects at each other in Saturday night’s violence, which followed several days of lower intensity unrest.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
  • As Elia trudged down the left-field line to the clubhouse after the game, a dozen or so alleged Cub fans doused Moreland with stale beer and hurled verbal abuse at Larry Bowa.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Definition of hurl
Verb
  • Instagram and TikTok have a way of flattening out differences rather than enhancing them.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 July 2025
  • After flattening through October, the consumer-price index rose 0.3% in November, 0.4% in December, and 0.5% in January.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Definition of flatten
Noun
  • Miami is always selling and Alcántara's inconsistency means keeping him around next season is a gamble the front office won't take.
    — Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
  • But this is a major economic gamble being undertaken by Trump and those pushing for lower rates under the belief that mortgages will also become more affordable as a result and boost homebuying activity.
    — Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of gamble
Verb
  • The high-energy collision breaks and reconnects magnetic field lines, flinging solar wind particles across Earth's magnetosphere at speeds that can approach the speed of light.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2025
  • In a fraction of a second, the bison goes from standing to charging, and one or more people are thrown backward or even flung into the air.
    — Gabe Castro-Root, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Definition of fling
Noun
  • In the subsequent game, after more than nine minutes and facing a fifth break point chance, Bouchard capitalized on Bencic’s backhand error in the net.
    — Lukas Weese, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Upload your entry before midnight on 19th May 2025 to be in with a chance!
    — Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 31 July 2025
Definition of chance

Phrases Containing throw

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through streets
throw
throw away
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Cite this Entry

“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on throw

Nglish: Translation of throw for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about throw

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