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

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Failing to spot a safety while trying to rally his team in the final minutes, Moore threw a pass that was intercepted. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023

Mallory Beach, 19, died after Paul Murdaugh — while allegedly drunk — crashed a boat into a bridge in 2019, throwing Beach and the others on board from the vessel. —Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023

When Moore walks in on him, Freundlich throws his hands in the air. —Alice Newell-Hanson, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023

Following the release of Aoki's September/October issue, the designer and entrepreneur, 48, celebrated her daughter to the fullest with a glitzy party thrown at the Soho Grand's Club Room in New York City. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023

Pugmire is seen charging toward Young and throwing a punch toward his face and swinging toward other people around him. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023

Irresistibly soft with a silky, lustrous finish, Avocado’s wool throws keep you cozy with impeccable style. —L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2023

After Colorado State Rams coach Jay Novell threw shade at Sanders for wearing hats and sunglasses at press conferences, Sanders played up his Blenders Prime shades and secured a deal with the eyewear brand. —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2023

Howell is currently the overall QB12 in fantasy after throwing for 299 yards and two TDs against a solid secondary at Denver. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023

Noun

That throw shouldn’t be made by a quarterback in his sixth season. —Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2023

But Vest escaped the jam on a ball up the middle from Grandal; McKinstry, the shortstop, ranged well to his left to get the ball behind second base and whipped it to Ibáñez, who then pivoted and fired to first, where Torkelson dug out the low throw for the third out. —Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023

This fleece throw blanket is perfect to nestle into on chilly nights, while this cool mist humidifier can turn dry, cold air into a hydrated wonderland. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023

Located in the West End of London, just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, Lancaster House was commissioned by the Duke of York and Albany, a son of King George III, in 1825. —Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 8 Sep. 2023

One features Knight wearing his signature red sweater while the other commemorates Knight's iconic chair throw. —Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2023

Against Rice, Ewers was 0-for-7 on throws of at least 15 yards. —Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023

The throw, however, was right in the middle of the strike zone. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023

And the best passers in the NFL typically come close to hitting 70% of their throws. —Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023

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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

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

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

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