throw

¹throw

verb \ˈthrō\

threw \ˈthrü\ thrown \ˈthrōn\ throw·ing

Definition of THROW

transitive verb

1

a : to propel through the air by a forward motion of the hand and arm <throw a baseball>

b : to propel through the air in any manner <a rifle that can throw a bullet a mile>

c : pitch 6b <threw a no-hitter>

2

a : to cause to fall <threw his opponent>

b : to cause to fall off : unseat <the horse threw its rider>

c : to get the better of : overcome <the problem didn't throw her>

3

a : to fling (oneself) precipitately <threw herself down on the sofa>

b : to drive or impel violently : dash <the ship was thrown on a reef>

4

a (1) : to put in a particular position or condition <threw her arms around him> <thrown into chaos> <threw him into prison> (2) : to put on or off hastily or carelessly <threw on a coat>

b : to bring to bear : exert <threw all his efforts into the boy's defense> <throw their weight behind the proposal>

c : build, construct <threw a pontoon bridge over the river>

5

: to form or shape on a potter's wheel

6

: to deliver (a blow) in or as if in boxing

7

: to twist two or more filaments of into a thread or yarn

8

a : to make a cast of (dice or a specified number on dice)

b : roll 1a <throw a bowling ball>

9

: to give up : abandon

10

: to send forth : project <the setting sun threw long shadows>; also : shed 3c <throw some light on the matter>

11

: to make (oneself) dependent : commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection <threw himself on the mercy of the court>

12

: deposit 2b <the wine throws sediment>

13

: to perform (as a stunt) successfully <throwing tricks on a skateboard>

14

: to indulge in : give way to <threw a temper tantrum>

15

a : to bring forth <throws a good crop>

b : to give birth to <threw large litters>

16

: to lose intentionally <throw a game>

17

a : to move (a lever) so as to connect or disconnect parts of a clutch or switch; also : to make or break (a connection) with a lever

b : to put (an automobile) in a different gear especially quickly or suddenly <he threw the car into reverse>

18

: to give by way of entertainment <throw a party>

intransitive verb

: cast, hurl

— throw·er \ˈthrō-ər\ noun

— throw cold water on

: to discourage especially through pessimism or indifference

— throw money at

: to spend large sums of money on or for especially recklessly or ineffectively <trying to solve problems by throwing money at them>

— throw one's weight around or throw one's weight about

: to exercise influence or authority especially to an excessive degree or in an objectionable manner

— throw to the wolves

: to leave unprotected against fierce opposition or attack

— throw together

1

: to put together in a hurried and usually careless manner <a bookshelf hastily thrown together>

2

: to bring into casual association <different kinds of people are thrown together — Richard Sennett>

Examples of THROW

1. She threw the ball to first base.
2. We threw our hats in the air at the end of the ceremony.
3. Let's see how far you can throw.
4. You throw like a wimp.
5. She threw her coat on the bed.
6. Don't throw your trash on the ground. Throw it in the trash can.
7. The wrestler threw his opponent to the mat.
8. The crash threw the driver from the car.
9. She was thrown from the horse.
10. The storm threw the boat against a reef.

Origin of THROW

Middle English thrawen, throwen to cause to twist, throw, from Old English thrāwan to cause to twist or turn; akin to Old High German drāen to turn, Latin terere to rub, Greek tribein to rub, tetrainein to bore, pierce

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to THROW

Synonyms

cast, catapult, chuck, dash, fire, fling, heave, hurl, hurtle, launch, lob, loft, peg, pelt, pitch, sling, toss, let fly

Antonyms

lift, pick up, raise

Related Words

bowl, dart, flip, gun, hook, pass, roll, shoot; buck, eject, impel, precipitate, project, propel, rifle, thrust

Synonym Discussion of THROW

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling 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>. cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering <cast it to the winds>. toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion <tossed the coat on the bed>. fling stresses a violent throwing <flung the ring back in his face>. hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight <hurled himself at the intruder>. pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target <pitch horseshoes>. sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim <slung the bag over his shoulder>.

²throw

noun

Definition of THROW

1

a : an act of throwing, hurling, or flinging

b (1) : an act of throwing dice (2) : the number thrown with a cast of dice

c : a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo

2

: the distance a missile may be thrown or light rays may be projected

3

: an undertaking involving chance or danger : risk, venture

4

: the amount of vertical displacement produced by a geological fault

5

a : the extreme movement given to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, or eccentric : stroke

b : the length of the radius of a crank or the virtual crank radius of an eccentric or cam

6

a : a light coverlet (as for a bed)

b : a woman's scarf or light wrap

— a throw

: for each one : apiece <copies are to be sold at a throw — Harvey Breit>

Examples of THROW

1. The quarterback made a perfect throw.
2. He lost all his winnings on his last throw.
3. a discus throw of 200 feet
4. It's a long throw from center field to home plate.

First Known Use of THROW

1530

Related to THROW

Synonyms

adventure, chance, crapshoot, enterprise, flier (also flyer), flutter [chiefly British], speculation, gamble, venture

Antonyms

sure thing

Related Words

bet, hazard, stake, wager; liberty; dark horse, long shot, play