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 next

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

Lynch gathered Braden Montgomery's bunt and threw to third, but third baseman Nick Loftin was unable to make the catch and was injured on the play, loading the bases. —

CBS News, 27 June 2026 At one point a woman in a crowd threw herself to the ground to protect a package of diapers with her body, desperate to keep it. —

ABC News, 27 June 2026

Noun

But Ewers’ quick processing and knack for making bold throws could create an opening for the second-year quarterback if Willis struggles in the exhibition season. —

Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Wall Street heads into the first full week of July trading with interest rates in mind, as the summary of the Federal Reserve’s meeting last month push yields higher and throw of stocks’ groove. —

Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for throw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw

Verb

Contreras was tossed immediately, while Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton, interim manager Chad Tracy and Washington pitcher Miles Mikolas were all sent to the showers early.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Guardians rookie Cooper Ingle made a routine catch last night and tossed the ball into the stands.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

The most violent wind report came from Northbrook, where half of a roof on a 20-car garage was lifted and then dropped, damaging at least seven cars in a parking shelter for a condominium.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Police release video of the person racing across the roof of the building from where authorities say the shot was fired, dropping down to the ground and walking off campus.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026

Definition of drop

Noun

For the best chance of seeing them, move away from city lights, lie flat on your back and look toward the southern sky near the Aquarius constellation, NASA says.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Now’s your chance to grab a closet’s worth of sleek, sculpting essentials, like the SpanxShape Booty Boost leggings for $44 off, and the SpanxSmooth Jersey Crewneck T-Shirt for $30 off.

— Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026

Definition of chance

Verb

English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.

— Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Things hit a boiling point when Contreras leaped into the air and hurled his batting helmet directly at Cavalli.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of hurl

Verb

Jonas, a program analyst at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was on the job for five days before Hurricane Harvey flattened homes along the Texas coast in 2017.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Franklyn-Miller is certainly pretty, serving as a fine face for this story, but the screenplay (by Erwin, Diederik Hoogstraten and Tom Provost) flattens his character into a basic cookie-cutter hero.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of flatten

Noun

One example is a joint venture with CDA near the future Route 390 and I-490 interchange next to O’Hare.

— Marni Pike, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
General Catalyst, one of Silicon Valley’s larger venture firms, has built an entire strategy around buying labour-heavy service companies and rewiring them with AI before selling them on.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of venture

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“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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verb

noun

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