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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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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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
The Mariners’ woes have put manager Dan Wilson on the hot seat and cast more ire toward president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Additionally, only the voters themselves or their near relative or legal guardian may return a ballot for it to be cast. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
Filmmakers, directors, and ensemble casts often drop in for panels and q&a’s that feel more like intimate fireside chats than PR interviews. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026 Ritchie’s process Multiple Gentlemen cast members have talked about Ritchie’s on-set process, which often calls on actors to learn new versions of scripts in the moment, or ad-lib to improve a scene. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 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
  • This fall, hair trends are all about natural-looking, dimensional blondes that radiate understated luxury.
    — Kat Suico, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Youth and parents linked their loss of care to spikes in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, with stress radiating through entire families.
    — Dr. SJ Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • The project is aimed at making hypersonic flight testing faster and more repeatable, addressing one of the major bottlenecks in the development of weapons and other systems designed to operate at speeds above Mach 5.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The initiative aims to bring positivity and hope to children battling critical illnesses.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • The facility will subsequently support the F135 fleet throughout the F-35’s service life in Finland, with Patria preparing to adapt the production line for Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) activities.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • At the team’s early-morning practices, many players flip between offense and defense to prepare for any situation, especially when there are even a few injuries.
    — Jesse Dougherty, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • Idzik and fellow walk-on Jordan Garside would reserve a lecture hall in the business school, write their mocks on the whiteboard and throw a two-person draft party.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The gallery watched with rapt attention as Reddington gestured wildly, slammed his hand down and threw a stack of papers onto the bench.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of throw
Noun
  • In contrast, all there is of the future is our predictions, hopes, and beliefs about what might happen, which are again states of our minds in the present.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The league is also asking prediction markets to stop offering predictions on officiating, such as how many flags will be thrown.
    — Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of prediction
Noun
  • Aside from the accessible play structures and equipment, Empowerment Park has group picnic and BBQ areas, community garden beds, accessible off-street and disabled parking, shade structures and self-cleaning restrooms.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Whether your skin skews golden, peach, olive, or pink, there are multiple shades with different undertone options to guarantee a close match.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Still, a robot that can move around your home, recognize faces and build memories over time deserves more than a quick glance at the privacy settings.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • While Friday’s data looked positive at first glance, economists cautioned that due to seasonal factors, the month of August often faces revisions to its employment data later in the year.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of glance
Noun
  • Build the rest of your look with bronzer, blush, mascara and more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The thin, buildable formula is an especially good fit for anyone who wants to even out discoloration and soften the look of pores without concealing their skin beneath a heavy layer of makeup.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cast

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cast

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