free throw

Definition of free throw

: an unhindered shot in basketball made from behind a set line and awarded because of a foul by an opponent

Examples of free throw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In his winning dunk, Jones received a 48 for his Michael Jordan-style slam, taking off just in front of the free throw line and whipping the ball between his legs. — Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, "Kevin Garnett explains difference between Minnesota and Celtics," 16 Feb. 2020 In the fourth quarter, Billings cut UAA’s lead to eight points, 74-66, with two-and-a-half minutes left, only to watch the Seawolves seal the win at the free throw line. — Anchorage Daily News, "UAA women’s basketball team pushes record to 25-2 with win over Billings," 14 Feb. 2020 Once the chaos quieted and each team retreated to its locker room, referees determined that there was still one second of the game to play and Kansas State had to go to the free throw line, De Sousa having been awarded a technical foul for taunting. — Laine Higgins, WSJ, "Kansas, Kansas State Players Suspended After Basketball Brawl," 22 Jan. 2020 And that’s coming off leading the NBA in free throw percentage at 92.8%. — Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star, "Malcolm Brogdon's FTs a serious weapon for Pacers: 'Those are the ones you have to make'," 12 Dec. 2019 For the night, Culver played 38 minutes, shooting 34 of 62 from the field, 12 of 33 from three-point range and 20 of 27 at the free throw line. — Jill Martin, CNN, "J.J. Culver, brother of NBA player Jarrett Culver, scored 100 points in a game for Wayland Baptist," 11 Dec. 2019 Thiem led the Lions with 15.3 points per game as a junior, and led the county with a 78.8 free throw percentage. — Megan Woodward, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Girls Basketball: 2019-20 Preview Capsules," 10 Dec. 2019 Vernon Carey had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Blue Devils (6-1), who committed 22 turnovers and shot just 11 of 24 from the free throw line in the second half. — Washington Post, "Stephen F. Austin stuns No. 1 Duke, 85-83 in OT," 27 Nov. 2019 To have witnessed that game is to understand that time stood still when Napier got his hands on a loose ball near the free throw line. — Dom Amore, courant.com, "Reliving the Shabazz Napier buzz beater over Florida six years later as UConn preps to face Gators Sunday," 16 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'free throw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

20 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Free throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20throw. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.

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