throw down

verb

threw down; thrown down; throwing down; throws down

transitive verb

1

: to cause to fall : overthrow

2

: precipitate

3

: to cast off : discard

4

: to make (a slam dunk) with exceptional force

Synonyms of throw down

• throw
• drop

Examples of throw down in a Sentence

throw down the gun, and put your hands up

Recent Examples on the Web

Sheppard grabbed three rebounds, hit another fadeaway and threw down a dunk to tie the score with 20 seconds left in the third. —Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Jokic threw down a dunk over Gobert at the other end to keep the Nuggets within range. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026

Rivera testified that when the Colombian commandos arrived at the president’s home, Moïse’s guards threw down their weapons. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026

James quickly went by a defender on a back-door cut, took a pass from Luke Kennard and threw down a two-handed, rim-rattling dunk. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for throw down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown