as in throwing
to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally
throw down the gun, and put your hands up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of throwing down
The 41-year-old James put on a show, throwing down lobs for dunks, drawing cheers and applause from the fans inside Capital One Arena.
—
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Jaxson Hayes delivered the final body blow, throwing down an Eastbay dunk in transition after stealing the ball from Josh Giddey to put the Lakers up by 14 with just under three minutes remaining.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
The panel all picked up what the show was throwing down with the rapper clues.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
Two years ago, Sukeban exploded onto the scene with fighters in latex, corsets and bomber jackets, throwing down with full makeup, wigs and acrylic nail art.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
The 22-year-old scored a career-high 21 points while shooting 8-for-12, hitting three 3-pointers and throwing down four acrobatic dunks — including a pair of transition lobs from Brown and Derrick White, and a third-quarter posterization of Marvin Bagley III.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
Wearing a flowing purple muumuu, Monaleo gets to throwing down a soul food dinner for the whole family.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2025
Hachimura finished with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting, throwing down multiple alley-oops during a third quarter the Laker won 40-31.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
On Instagram, Hogan posted a few videos throwing down tracks in the recording studio.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Jaxson Hayes delivered the final body blow, throwing down an Eastbay dunk in transition after stealing the ball from Josh Giddey to put the Lakers up by 14 with just under three minutes remaining.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
The panel all picked up what the show was throwing down with the rapper clues.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
Two years ago, Sukeban exploded onto the scene with fighters in latex, corsets and bomber jackets, throwing down with full makeup, wigs and acrylic nail art.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
The 22-year-old scored a career-high 21 points while shooting 8-for-12, hitting three 3-pointers and throwing down four acrobatic dunks — including a pair of transition lobs from Brown and Derrick White, and a third-quarter posterization of Marvin Bagley III.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
Wearing a flowing purple muumuu, Monaleo gets to throwing down a soul food dinner for the whole family.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2025
Hachimura finished with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting, throwing down multiple alley-oops during a third quarter the Laker won 40-31.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
On Instagram, Hogan posted a few videos throwing down tracks in the recording studio.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throwing down
Verb
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The council was established in April 2024, nearly three years after President Jovenel Moïse was killed at his residence, throwing Haiti into widespread upheaval.—
EVENS SANON,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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After Lathan Sommerville drew consecutive trips to the line, and no whistle blew when Dent was contacted on a drive, Cronin ran onto the court, throwing his fists in anger, and yelling at an official.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The initiative is expected to restore 200 million gallons of water per year for ten years while lowering irrigation costs.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
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Deductions reduce a filer's taxable income, lowering their overall tax bill.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Others on the roster are known for their high-flying dunks, jaw-dropping ball-handling or seemingly limitless range.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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And figure skater Ilia Malinin continued redefining the sport, performing a jaw-dropping backflip.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throwing down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throwing%20down. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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