throw

1 of 2

verb

ˈthrō 

threw ˈthrü  ; thrown ˈthrōn  ; 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

intransitive verb

: cast, hurl

thrower

ˈthrō-ər 

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 together

—Richard Sennett

a throw

: for each one : apiece

copies are to be sold at $5 a throw

—Harvey Breit

Synonyms

Verb

• cast
• catapult
• chuck
• dash
• fire
• fling
• heave
• hurl
• hurtle
• launch
• lob
• loft
• peg
• pelt
• pitch
• sling
• toss

Noun

• adventure
• chance
• crapshoot
• enterprise
• flier
• flyer
• flutter [chiefly British]
• gamble
• speculation
• venture

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

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

Phrases Containing throw

• cast/shed/throw light on
• put/roll/throw out the welcome mat
• a stone's throw
• people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
• have/throw/pitch a tantrum
• cast/throw pearls before swine
• free throw
• sling/throw mud
• put/throw one's weight/influence behind
• put/throw a spanner in the works
• stone's throw
• throw/bring into question
• throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into
• throw/knock (someone) off (his/her) stride
• throw/toss one's hat in/into the ring
• throw a block
• throw a fit
• throw away
• throw a wrench into the works
• throw down
• throw back
• throw cold water on
• throw down the gauntlet
• throw in one's lot with
• throw in the towel
• throw on
• throw off
• throw oneself on the mercy of (someone)
• throw money around
• throw oneself into
• throw oneself at (someone)
• throw one's weight around
• throw out
• throw over
• throw pillow
• throw rug
• throw shade
• throw (someone) a bone
• throw (someone) a curve/curveball
• throw (someone) under the bus
• throw (something) out the window
• throw up
• throw up one's hands
• throw weight
• throw/fling/cast caution to the wind
• throw into disorder
• cast/throw doubt on
• throw punches
• hammer throw
• throw the book at
• throw (someone) a kiss
• throw one's hands up (in the air)
• free throw lane
• throw a wobbly
• throw in
• throw (someone) for a loop
• throw (someone) for a loss
• a stone's throw away
• throw out the baby with the bathwater
• javelin throw
• throw in the sponge
• a throw
• throw in (at) the deep end
• throw one's weight about
• throw to the wolves
• throw together
• throw money at

See More

• cast/shed/throw light on
• put/roll/throw out the welcome mat
• a stone's throw
• people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
• have/throw/pitch a tantrum
• cast/throw pearls before swine
• free throw
• sling/throw mud
• put/throw one's weight/influence behind
• put/throw a spanner in the works
• stone's throw
• throw/bring into question
• throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into
• throw/knock (someone) off (his/her) stride
• throw/toss one's hat in/into the ring
• throw a block
• throw a fit
• throw away
• throw a wrench into the works
• throw down
• throw back
• throw cold water on
• throw down the gauntlet
• throw in one's lot with
• throw in the towel
• throw on
• throw off
• throw oneself on the mercy of (someone)
• throw money around
• throw oneself into
• throw oneself at (someone)
• throw one's weight around
• throw out
• throw over
• throw pillow
• throw rug
• throw shade
• throw (someone) a bone
• throw (someone) a curve/curveball
• throw (someone) under the bus
• throw (something) out the window
• throw up
• throw up one's hands
• throw weight
• throw/fling/cast caution to the wind
• throw into disorder
• cast/throw doubt on
• throw punches
• hammer throw
• throw the book at
• throw (someone) a kiss
• throw one's hands up (in the air)
• free throw lane
• throw a wobbly
• throw in
• throw (someone) for a loop
• throw (someone) for a loss
• a stone's throw away
• throw out the baby with the bathwater
• javelin throw
• throw in the sponge
• a throw
• throw in (at) the deep end
• throw one's weight about
• throw to the wolves
• throw together
• throw money at

See More

Kids Definition

throw

1 of 2 verb

ˈthrō 

threw ˈthrü  ; thrown ˈthrōn  ; 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

ˈthrō(-ə)r 

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