cast 1 of 2

verb

ˈkast How to pronounce cast (audio)
Definition of castnext
1
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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2
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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3
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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4
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

1
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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2
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
3
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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4
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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5
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 Proof, Cheadle stars as Robert, a once-brilliant mathematician whose struggle with mental illness casts a long shadow over his daughter Catherine (Edebiri) following his death. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026 Those grants are then used to protect IT systems from foreign and domestic cyberattacks, update voting systems, ensure the accuracy of voter rolls and protect the integrity of ballots after they are cast. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Noun
Born on March 31, 1990, in Jacksonville, FL, Lee was a cast member on Big Brother Season 27. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 July 2026 Mikayla Matthews has responded to her fellow SLOMW cast member Taylor Frankie Paul’s recent angry Instagram posts. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cast
  1. radiate
  2. aim
  3. prepare
  4. throw
  5. prediction
  6. shade
  7. glance
  8. look
Verb
  • Those tendrils are formed from plasma, or ionized gas, at temperatures in excess of a million degrees Fahrenheit, compared to the sun's visible surface, the photosphere, which radiates at about 9,932 degrees Fahrenheit (5,500 degrees Celsius).
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026
  • Throw in an eye mask, too, as the yurts radiate with beams of early morning sunlight from the skylight.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • Andrew Malick, who specializes in urban apartment construction aimed at moderate-income residents, agreed that the flat stated rents with the concessions essentially mean lower rents.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
  • In an era where youth sports can cost parents thousands of dollars, a new no-cost league in the historic Northeast neighborhoods launched by the Kansas City Current aims to break down the financial barrier.
    — PJ Green July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • Harry Kane refused to be drawn into comparisons with fellow striker Erling Haaland yesterday as the England captain prepares for a World Cup quarterfinal showdown with Norway that could go some way to deciding who wins the tournament’s Golden Boot.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
  • In a tunnel as both teams prepared to take the pitch for the pomp of the two national anthems, out of view of the crowd, Norwegian star Erling Haaland was hugging or dapping his opponents.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • All the gold is gone, and there’s barely enough to pay her soldiers, let alone throw a lavish coronation.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • California’s court systems have also thrown their weight behind the plaintiffs in the case.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of throw
Noun
  • The biggest difference between prediction markets and traditional sports betting is how people put their money on an outcome.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
  • There have been times when that prediction was teetering but England has risen to the occasion.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of prediction
Noun
  • All shades, all colors, 4 million faces surrounding them with resounding support and unrequited love.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Among those accessories, Middleton sported the Gabrielle earrings from Sézane in a coffee shade, Halcyon Days aquamarine and gold bangle bracelet and a Sézane howlite cuff.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 July 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Stunt designed to showcase agility, not AI rebellion Despite alarming many viewers at first glance, the viral video does not show a humanoid robot experiencing a software failure or acting independently.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • Each year when Wimbledon rolls around, tennis fans crane their necks and watch their TV screens with undivided attention for a glance at the Royal Box, anxiously awaiting if Kate Middleton will be in attendance.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Definition of glance
Noun
  • The broad straps offset the lower neckline, which scoops at its narrowest point for a softer look, rather than forming a harsh line.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 13 July 2026
  • Gray flooring is losing popularity for its cold, flat look compared to warmer, natural wood tones.
    — Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 13 July 2026
Definition of look

Phrases Containing cast

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cassettes
cast
cast about
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Cite this Entry

“Cast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cast. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cast

Nglish: Translation of cast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cast

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