cast 1 of 2

verb

ˈkast How to pronounce cast (audio)
Definition of castnext
1
as in to radiate
to throw or give off spermaceti candles, made from whale oil, are known to cast an exceptionally bright light

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2
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal cast her eyes skyward for signs of the rescue plane

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3
as in to prepare
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form carefully cast the letter of complaint as politely as possible

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4
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm cast a rock into the stream

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cast

2 of 2

noun

1
as in prediction
a declaration that something will happen in the future stock market analysts offered an optimistic cast for the coming year

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2
as in shade
a property that becomes apparent when light falls on an object and by which things that are identical in form can be distinguished the walls had a slight yellowish cast

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in glance
an instance of looking especially briefly a mischievous cast in his eye when we asked what our destination would be

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4
as in look
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling his face took on a somewhat sad cast when we asked how his ill wife was faring

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5
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance the lovely cast of the baby's features

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word cast distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cast are fling, hurl, pitch, sling, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When might fling be a better fit than cast?

While in some cases nearly identical to cast, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When can hurl be used instead of cast?

The words hurl and cast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When would pitch be a good substitute for cast?

The words pitch and cast can be used in similar contexts, but pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

Where would sling be a reasonable alternative to cast?

Although the words sling and cast have much in common, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When is it sensible to use throw instead of cast?

The meanings of throw and cast largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can toss take the place of cast?

While the synonyms toss and cast are close in meaning, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cast
Verb
One such signatory was Paapa Essiedu, who has been cast in Harry Potter as Professor Snape. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 May 2025 Final vote totals still are being tabulated, but Baril estimated about 99% of ballots cast favored giving leaders that option. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2025
Noun
From their acting careers to their personal lives, here's everything to know about where the cast of Party of Five is today. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 3 May 2025 Lee Chang, Seo-bi and the rest of the cast must navigate not only the zombie plague, but also the conspiracy of the Haewon Cho clan and the mystery of the zombie outbreak, with its roots in the war from three years earlier. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cast
  1. radiate
  2. aim
  3. prepare
  4. throw
  5. prediction
  6. shade
  7. glance
  8. look
Verb
  • Such data centers, ideally, would be powered by solar panels and be able to radiate heat into the vacuum of space.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
  • After nearly two decades in the spotlight, Julianne Hough still radiates an energy that can only be described as electric.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 May 2025
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • Elsbeth boss aims to get Captain Wagner (Wendell Pierce) out from behind his desk more next season.
    — Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 9 May 2025
  • The joint venture, which will be co-managed by both corporate heavyweights, aims to fast-track new investment opportunities and Fair Trade Commission approval, according to JoongAng Group’s announcement.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 May 2025
Definition of aim
Verb
  • Several media outlets reported earlier this month that the Trump administration was preparing releasing the full audio.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • The leaders did a deep dive into how to prepare for the three-game, eight-day stretch, which began last Saturday, with a 2-1 win at St. Louis City SC and followed with the 2-0 win Wednesday against Colorado.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • The girl, whose family identified her as Lily, was driven to a remote location on the night of May 3, where her ex-boyfriend then assaulted her, choked her and threw her from a moving vehicle, the Star-Telegram previously reported.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2025
  • Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who went on the injured list May 2 with a left knee injury, did some throwing Friday and is continuing to progress in his rehab, but Washington said the team has no date for his return.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
Definition of throw
Noun
  • The bitcoin price has rocketed to over $100,000 per bitcoin, up 30% from its April lows, triggering a wave of bullish bitcoin price predictions that could see the bitcoin price eventually flip gold’s $20 trillion market capitalization.
    — Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • The Futures Lab, a new initiative unveiled at the Quirino Awards, brought together leading voices from the Ibero-American animation to grapple not with predictions but with possibilities.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 10 May 2025
Definition of prediction
Noun
  • The tint blends in nicely with my skin (a deeper shade is available, too) and adds a healthy, nongreasy glow.
    — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • Super Lustrous Glass Shine Balm Lipstick in the shade ‘Rum Raisin’ available on Amazon and Target.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 9 May 2025
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Del Rey’s dress was black Valentino couture, and, at first glance, the star of the show was the oversized bow at the shoulder, which also included an eye-catching feather detail.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 7 May 2025
  • But no matter how much the scene may resemble a legacy country club at first glance, this meetup exists almost in opposition to the city’s handful of expensive clubs with yearslong wait-lists and lengthy membership requirements.
    — Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Definition of glance
Noun
  • At the 10:19 mark of the second quarter, Brown caught the ball in the left corner, with his feet set behind the 3-point line, and had a seemingly wide-open look at the basket.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
  • Wilson's look was a blush-pink, off-the-shoulder dress, while Agruma wore a white and peach floral frock with scalloped trim on the sleeves and hemline.
    — Janine Henni, People.com, 17 May 2025
Definition of look

Phrases Containing cast

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cassettes
cast
cast about
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Cite this Entry

“Cast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cast. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cast

Nglish: Translation of cast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cast

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