throw

verb

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\ ˈthrō

threw\ ˈthrü

\; thrown\ ˈthrōn

\; throwing

Definition of throw

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : 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

3a : to fling (oneself) precipitately threw herself down on the sofa

b : to drive or impel violently : dash the ship was thrown on a reef

4a(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

10a : 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

15a : to bring forth throws a good crop

b : to give birth to threw large litters

16a : 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

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

throw

noun

Definition of throw (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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

3a : 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

6a : 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

a throw

: for each one : apiece copies are to be sold at $5 a throw— Harvey Breit

Other Words from throw Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about throw

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Synonyms & Antonyms for throw

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

adventure,
chance,
crapshoot,
enterprise,
flier
(also flyer),
flutter
[chiefly British],
gamble,
speculation,
venture

Antonyms: Noun

sure thing

Choose the Right Synonym for throw

Verb

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

Examples of throw in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The purpose is to throw a curveball at artificial intelligence agents that play the game. — Mayank Kejriwal, The Conversation, "Embrace the unexpected: To teach AI how to handle new situations, change the rules of the game," 7 Apr. 2021 In a letter to Texas Rangers CEO Neil Leibman, Abbott declined the Rangers’ offer for the governor to throw the first pitch at Monday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. — Carlie Porterfield, Forbes, "Texas Governor Is The Latest Republican To Boycott Baseball Over Pulled All-Star Game," 5 Apr. 2021 Milwaukee has yet to throw one at American Family Field, formerly Miller Park. — Star Tribune, "Twins' no-hit bid vs Brewers ended with one out in eighth," 3 Apr. 2021 Two innings later, first baseman Max Muncy, charging on a bunt, couldn’t get the ball out of his glove in time to throw a runner out at third base. — Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers begin season in bizarre fashion in loss to Colorado Rockies," 1 Apr. 2021 Tan, who had come to the U.S. from China, used to throw Fourth of July and Lunar New Year parties at the spa. — Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, "Mario González Still Wants to Know Why the Police Held Him After the Atlanta Shooting," 29 Mar. 2021 Tinkle is always looking for little nuggets of motivation to throw at his players. — oregonlive, "With a Final Four in sight, Oregon State braces for a week rivaling the school’s 2001 Fiesta Bowl run," 27 Mar. 2021 In 2021, with the Buckeyes forced to start an inexperienced young quarterback who has yet to throw a pass in a college football game, will the run of best QBs end? — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland, "Ohio State football has featured the Big Ten’s best quarterback basically every year for almost a decade -- Will that end in 2021?," 26 Mar. 2021 There’s nothing the sadistic screenwriters of our current reality can throw at us to faze us anymore. — Washington Post, "sideways in the Suez Canal," 24 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Fast-forward to Rink's own living room which boasts the exact yellow chair and a similar sofa adorned with the same throw pillows from the magazine. — Nathalie Kirby, House Beautiful, "How Did We Miss This Incredible Detail About the Apartment in "13 Going on 30?"," 23 Mar. 2021 Seasonal throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to decorate for a holiday, and Target has no shortage of spring looks this season. — Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, "Target’s New Easter Collection is Here—And We Want One of Everything," 22 Mar. 2021 The same site also offered throw pillows for $19.32. — Dom Calicchio, Fox News, "Andrew Cuomo blanket photo sparks Twitter frenzy, comparison to ‘Peanuts’ character Linus," 13 Mar. 2021 Osman was charged with an error for missing the bag off Baeza's throw. — Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic, "ASU baseball loses Cooper Benson early, falls late to Hawaii," 27 Feb. 2021 Then add a few throw pillows or shams for good measure. — Kyle Valenta, Star Tribune, "Sleep on it," 12 Feb. 2021 Lexah 78-Inch Fabric Sofa for $399 (Save $600): This simple yet chic sofa features removable legs and cushions along with two throw pillows. — Nicole Briese, USA TODAY, "The best Black Friday 2020 deals at Macy's right now," 28 Nov. 2020 Serani said even getting some new throw pillows or changing regular decor can have the same effect. — Lauren M. Johnson, CNN, "Bring on the holiday cheer! Putting up holiday decor early can help boost your mental health," 18 Nov. 2020 Washington is a redshirt junior who in February broke the collegiate indoor record with a throw of 71-8 1/4. — Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic, "ASU's Turner Washington wins NCAA Indoor shot put title," 13 Mar. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

11 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for throw

throw

verb

English Language Learners Definition of throw

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to cause (something) to move out of your hand and through the air by quickly moving your arm forward

: to put (something) in a particular place in a careless or forceful way

: to cause (someone or something) to move suddenly or forcefully to or away from a particular place

throw

noun

English Language Learners Definition of throw (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act of throwing something (such as a ball)

: an act of rolling dice

: the distance over which something is thrown or could be thrown

See the full definition for throw in the English Language Learners Dictionary

throw

verb

\ ˈthrō

threw\ ˈthrü \; thrown\ ˈthrōn \; throwing

Kids Definition of throw

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to send through the air with a quick forward motion of the arm Throw me a ball.

2 : to put suddenly in a certain position or condition Don't throw trash on the ground. They threw him in prison.

3 : to cause to fall The horse threw its rider.

4 : to put on or take off in a hurry Let me throw on a coat.

5 : to move (the body or part of the body) in a certain way I threw myself on the bed. He threw his arms around her.

6 : to move (as a window or switch) to an open or closed position

7 : to give by way of entertainment Let's throw a party!

throw away

1 : to get rid of : discard

2 : squander, waste Don't throw away your money.

throw out

1 : to get rid of Did you throw out the newspaper?

2 : to remove from a place, position, or participation The ref threw out two players.

3 : to give off The wire threw out sparks.

4 : to cause to project : extend He threw out his arms.

throw up

: vomit entry 2

throw

noun

Kids Definition of throw (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act of causing something to move with a motion of the arm

2 : the distance something is or may be sent with a motion of the arm

Choose the Right Synonym for throw

Verb

throw, toss, and hurl mean to cause something to move swiftly through space often by using the arm. throw is the broadest word and can be used of almost any motion and driving force. The graduates threw their caps in the air. A crash threw the driver from the car. toss is used for a light or careless throwing of something. Let's toss a coin. He tossed the paper into the wastebasket. hurl is used when throwing with strong force. An angry mob hurled rocks.