CAST Synonyms: 251 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cast' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cast are fling , hurl , pitch , sling , throw , and toss . While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. // cast it to the winds

Q: When might 'fling' be a better fit than 'cast'?

While in some cases nearly identical to cast , fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

Q: When can 'hurl' be used instead of 'cast'?

The words hurl and cast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: When would 'pitch' be a good substitute for 'cast'?

The words pitch and cast can be used in similar contexts, but pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: Where would 'sling' be a reasonable alternative to 'cast'?

Although the words sling and cast have much in common, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

Q: When is it sensible to use 'throw' instead of 'cast'?

The meanings of throw and cast largely overlap; however, 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 'toss' take the place of 'cast'?

While the synonyms toss and cast are close in meaning, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

cast 1 of 2

verb

ˈkast

Definition of cast

as in to radiate

to throw or give off spermaceti candles, made from whale oil, are known to cast an exceptionally bright light

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to aim

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal cast her eyes skyward for signs of the rescue plane

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to prepare

to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form carefully cast the letter of complaint as politely as possible

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as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm cast a rock into the stream

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cast

2 of 2

noun

as in prediction

a declaration that something will happen in the future stock market analysts offered an optimistic cast for the coming year

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as in shade

a property that becomes apparent when light falls on an object and by which things that are identical in form can be distinguished the walls had a slight yellowish cast

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

achromatism

as in glance

an instance of looking especially briefly a mischievous cast in his eye when we asked what our destination would be

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as in look

facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling his face took on a somewhat sad cast when we asked how his ill wife was faring

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as in shape

the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance the lovely cast of the baby's features

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cast distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cast are fling, hurl, pitch, sling, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When might fling be a better fit than cast?

While in some cases nearly identical to cast, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When can hurl be used instead of cast?

The words hurl and cast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When would pitch be a good substitute for cast?

The words pitch and cast can be used in similar contexts, but pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

Where would sling be a reasonable alternative to cast?

Although the words sling and cast have much in common, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When is it sensible to use throw instead of cast?

The meanings of throw and cast largely overlap; however, 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 toss take the place of cast?

While the synonyms toss and cast are close in meaning, 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 cast

Verb

In April, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 64 union cast a vote of no confidence in Rubin and County Administrator David Johnston. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026 Before a single vote is cast this fall, every single New Yorker of good conscience should demand to know where their legislator stands on the Stop Silencing Survivors Act. — Gretchen Carlson, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Check out a video of the cast coming together for the first time below. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026 The Next Pro, which confirmed another new dancer would be added for season 35 onto the already long recurring cast list (and Bills wasn’t competing for that spot). — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cast

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cast

Verb

One of them was Maggie Bieritz, one of those people who radiates joy and wit.

— Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
The jet carries 500,000 times the energy radiated by the sun and explains the mystery of how feeding black holes become such powerful cosmic particle accelerators and generate such high-energy gamma-ray photons.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of radiate

Verb

The second, Stillpoint, aims to release and restore calm with a deep oil-free massage, along with rocking compressions, assisted stretches, and Kansa wand techniques.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
And the most recent announcement that’s set to be released in the first quarter of 2027 is the Shockwave, an electric enduro aimed squarely at riders who'd rather spend their weekends throwing a bike at dirt than commuting through traffic.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of aim

Verb

Tehran is preparing a more forceful response if Washington resumes large-scale strikes, Reuters reported.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Next, Meyer is preparing to introduce new love bird designs while continuing to build on the brand’s core collection.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of prepare

Verb

Bella chews him out for punching Angus in the face right before Angus’s big presentation, which Johnny knew about because they were supposed to throw a return supper for him, a dinner Johnny was supposed to cook.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Victories by Germany’s AfD in state elections have thrown the viability of the country’s government into doubt, while France’s National Rally is the odds-on favorite to win next year’s presidential election.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of throw

Noun

Though these predictions exist weeks ahead of events, their impact on preparedness is nebulous.

— Vibhu Krishna, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
From the time of Bitcoin’s 2009 launch, crypto had occupied the murkier end of legal gray zones; in the eyes of CFTC regulators, crypto prediction markets, which inherited the moral and legal residue of gambling prohibition, were doubly marked.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of prediction

Noun

The shift can be subtle, but combined with how the shade reads against your skin tone, the finished look feels way more custom than a standard balm, gloss or long-lasting liquid lipstick.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
These pumps were finished in satin shades ranging from jewel tones to more neutral hues.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of shade

Noun

How modular workstation sinks work A workstation sink looks like a standard basin at first glance, but the walls hide the trick.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
At first glance, that sounds like a justification to reduce headcount, especially given the improvements in automation technology since this research was published.

— Zohar Gilad, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of glance

Noun

Floor-to-ceiling windows grace both the city and river-view rooms, all replete with white oak fixtures and a stylish mid-century modern look.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The Hotties and Megan’s friends, including WNBA star Angel Reese, loved her latest look, which even had a pink Chanel bag with a matching phone case.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of look

Cite this Entry

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“Cast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cast. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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