throw

1 of 2

verb

threw ˈthrü How to pronounce throw (audio) ; thrown ˈthrōn How to pronounce throw (audio) ; throwing

transitive verb

1
a
: to propel through the air by a forward motion of the hand and arm
throw a baseball
b
: to propel through the air in any manner
a rifle that can throw a bullet a mile
c
: pitch sense 6b
threw a no-hitter
2
a
: to cause to fall
threw his opponent
b
: to cause to fall off : unseat
the horse threw its rider
c
: to get the better of : overcome
the problem didn't throw her
3
a
: to fling (oneself) precipitately
threw herself down on the sofa
b
: to drive or impel violently : dash
the ship was thrown on a reef
4
a(1)
: to put in a particular position or condition
threw her arms around him
thrown into chaos
threw him into prison
(2)
: to put on or off hastily or carelessly
threw on a coat
b
: to bring to bear : exert
threw all his efforts into the boy's defense
throw their weight behind the proposal
c
: build, construct
threw a pontoon bridge over the river
5
: to give by way of entertainment
throw a party
6
: to indulge in : give way to
threw a temper tantrum
7
: to lose intentionally
throw a game
8
: to form or shape on a potter's wheel
9
: to deliver (a blow) in or as if in boxing
10
a
: to make a cast of (dice or a specified number on dice)
b
: roll sense 1a
throw a bowling ball
11
: to give up : abandon
12
: to send forth : project
the setting sun threw long shadows
also : shed sense 3b
throw some light on the matter
13
: to make (oneself) dependent : commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection
threw himself on the mercy of the court
14
: to perform (something, such as a stunt) successfully
throwing tricks on a skateboard
15
a
: to bring forth
throws a good crop
b
: to give birth to
threw large litters
16
a
: to move (a lever) so as to connect or disconnect parts of a clutch or switch
also : to make or break (a connection) with a lever
b
: to put (an automobile) in a different gear especially quickly or suddenly
he threw the car into reverse
17
: deposit sense 2b
the wine throws sediment
18
: to twist two or more filaments of into a thread or yarn
thrower noun

throw

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an act of throwing, hurling, or flinging
b(1)
: an act of throwing dice
(2)
: the number thrown with a cast of dice
c
: a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo
2
: the distance a missile may be thrown or light rays may be projected
3
a
: a light coverlet (as for a bed)
b
: a woman's scarf or light wrap
4
: an undertaking involving chance or danger : risk, venture
5
: the amount of vertical displacement produced by a geologic fault
6
a
: the extreme movement given to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, or eccentric : stroke
b
: the length of the radius of a crank or the virtual crank radius of an eccentric or cam
Phrases
throw cold water on
: to discourage especially through pessimism or indifference
throw money at
: to spend large sums of money on or for especially recklessly or ineffectively
trying to solve problems by throwing money at them
throw one's weight around or throw one's weight about
: to exercise influence or authority especially to an excessive degree or in an objectionable manner
throw to the wolves
: to leave unprotected against fierce opposition or attack
throw together
1
: to put together in a hurried and usually careless manner
a bookshelf hastily thrown together
2
: to bring into casual association
different kinds of people are thrown togetherRichard Sennett
a throw
: for each one : apiece
copies are to be sold at $5 a throwHarvey Breit
Choose the Right Synonym for throw

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force.

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

cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

Example Sentences

Verb She threw the ball to first base. We threw our hats in the air at the end of the ceremony. Let's see how far you can throw. You throw like a wimp. She threw her coat on the bed. Don't throw your trash on the ground. Throw it in the trash can. The wrestler threw his opponent to the mat. The crash threw the driver from the car. She was thrown from the horse. The storm threw the boat against a reef. Noun The quarterback made a perfect throw. He lost all his winnings on his last throw. a discus throw of 200 feet It's a long throw from center field to home plate. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This durable bag from Tumi contains a multitude of pockets for keeping your items safe, and a tough nylon shell ensures that this tote is built to last through whatever your next adventure may throw your way. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2023 They can be seen struggling with him inside the cell, and one deputy appears to throw several punches. Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2023 My youngest came downstairs crying and displayed a text from her mother’s soon-to-be-ex, which didn’t only throw mom under the bus, but completely napalmed her. Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Mar. 2023 Over the past decade, baseball’s relentless pursuit of velocity has manifested itself in bullpens full of pitchers who throw 100 mph with wipeout sliders. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2023 After a short conversation, Shutes appears to throw a punch at Brett's face. CBS News, 24 Mar. 2023 But those wishing to throw climate-change considerations into the investment mix (and there are plenty of them) may not be satisfied with considering just that. The Editors, National Review, 23 Mar. 2023 But Republican primary voters will be quick to punish any candidates who are too eager to throw Trump under the bus. Patrick T. Brown, CNN, 23 Mar. 2023 For those tuning into the recent spate of D.C. hearings, Reiners has been a stalwart presence, called as a witness to sit next to crypto company executives and throw cold water on some of their claims. Leo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 22 Mar. 2023
Noun
Now, here was Trammell at the free-throw line in a game that was 56-56 with 1.2 seconda remaining. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2023 Pack shot 50% from the field, 40% from the 3-point line and 93% from the free-throw line. Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Mar. 2023 In that game, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 free-throw attempts, eight more than the Suns' total, and the Bucks had 44 attempts overall. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2023 The Tigers had missed their only free-throw attempt before getting four more chances in the final 21 seconds. Scott Miller, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023 Boo Buie purposely missed a free-throw attempt in the waning seconds of OT and the Wildcats grabbed the loose ball for one last shot, but Chase Audige’s game-tying attempt was off, ending their stay in the tournament. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2023 The Razorbacks -- twins Makhel and Makhi Mitchell in particular -- held Tshiebwe to 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 of 6 shooting and 1 free-throw attempt in 32 minutes. Bob Holt, Arkansas Online, 4 Mar. 2023 Under the new rules, pitchers can disengage from the rubber — either to call timeout or to attempt a pickoff throw — twice per plate appearance. Alanis Thames, ajc, 4 Mar. 2023 Powell shot an average of 8.4 free-throw attempts per 100 possessions, the second-highest rate among all of the team’s main contributors. Staff Writer Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English thrawen, throwen to cause to twist, throw, from Old English thrāwan to cause to twist or turn; akin to Old High German drāen to turn, Latin terere to rub, Greek tribein to rub, tetrainein to bore, pierce

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of throw was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near throw

Cite this Entry

“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

throw

1 of 2 verb
threw ˈthrü How to pronounce throw (audio) ; thrown ˈthrōn How to pronounce throw (audio) ; throwing
1
a
: to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
threw the ball over the fence
b
: pitch entry 3 sense 5b
threw a no-hitter
2
a
: to cause to fall
a horse jumped and threw its rider
b
: to cast (oneself) heavily or forcefully
threw herself on the sofa
c
: to get the better of : overcome
the problem didn't throw her
3
a
: to put suddenly in a certain condition or position
threw her arms around him
threw him into prison
b
: to bring to bear : exert
threw all their efforts into repairing the house
4
: to put on or take off quickly
throw on a coat
5
: to form or shape on a potter's wheel
6
: to move to an open or closed position
throw a switch
7
: to lose (a game or contest) on purpose
8
: to commit oneself for help, support, or protection
threw himself on the mercy of the court
9
: to indulge in
threw a temper tantrum
10
: to give for entertainment
throw a party
thrower noun

throw

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of throwing
2
: a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo
3
: the distance something is or may be thrown
4
: a loose covering (as for a sofa)
5
: a woman's light wrap

More from Merriam-Webster on throw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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