Synonyms of cast

cast 1 of 2

verb

ˈkast 

1

as in to radiate

to throw or give off

spermaceti candles, made from whale oil, are known to cast an exceptionally bright light

Synonyms & Similar Words

• radiate
• release
• emit
• emanate
• expel
• shoot
• send (out)
• eliminate
• issue
• exhale
• evolve
• throw out
• discharge
• pour
• give out
• irradiate
• vent
• expire
• evacuate
• exude
• erupt
• ooze
• excrete
• secrete
• jet
• spray
• eject
• gush
• spew
• spout
• squirt
• spurt
• outpour

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• take up
• absorb
• inhale
• soak (up)
• suck (up)
• sponge

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aim
• set
• direct
• head
• hold
• bend
• train
• steer
• focus
• sight
• pinpoint
• level
• face
• concentrate
• bear
• orient
• incline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deflect
• curve
• avert
• divert
• shunt
• detour
• sidetrack
• rechannel

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prepare
• compose
• draft
• write
• craft
• draw up
• formulate
• put together
• frame
• sculpture
• mold
• make
• form
• shape
• word
• build
• pen
• phrase
• fabricate
• assemble
• couch
• author
• construct
• state
• devise
• fashion
• express
• conceive
• compound
• verbalize
• piece (together)
• concoct
• indite
• redraft
• reframe
• reformulate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• throw
• toss
• hurl
• fling
• sling
• fire
• launch
• let fly
• chuck
• heave
• pitch
• lob
• catapult
• peg
• dart
• bowl
• gun
• dash
• pelt
• flip
• hurtle
• roll
• loft
• thrust
• hook
• pass
• precipitate
• rifle
• shoot
• project
• propel
• eject
• impel
• buck

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prediction
• forecast
• predicting
• forecasting
• prophecy
• sign
• prognosis
• prognostic
• bodement
• prognostication
• soothsaying
• vaticination
• auguring
• anticipation
• prognosticating
• augury
• foretelling
• presaging
• omen
• harbinger
• prevision
• guess
• conjecture
• portent
• foreknowledge
• surmise
• prospectus
• foreboding
• foresight

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shade
• color
• tone
• hue
• tint
• tinge
• coloration
• coloring
• tincture
• contrast
• brightness
• undertone
• overtone
• primary color
• secondary color
• lightness
• value
• chroma
• tertiary color
• saturation
• pigmentation
• chromaticity
• colorway

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• achromatism

3

as in glance

an instance of looking especially briefly

a mischievous cast in his eye when we asked what our destination would be

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glance
• glimpse
• look
• peek
• peep
• view
• gaze
• stare
• glare
• sight
• eye
• gander
• regard
• side-glance
• ogle
• gape
• leer
• squint
• squinny
• coup d'oeil

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• look
• expression
• face
• smile
• grin
• countenance
• visage
• scowl
• mouth
• presence
• appearance
• frown
• bearing
• grimace
• air
• demeanor
• lower
• pout
• manner
• aspect
• mien

5

as in shape

the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance

the lovely cast of the baby's features

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shape
• form
• geometry
• figure
• fashion
• configuration
• silhouette
• outline
• conformation
• contour
• shell
• skeleton
• design
• frame
• profile
• framework
• plan
• organization
• layout
• pattern
• arrangement
• format
• setup
• makeup

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• material
• composition
• matter
• substance
• stuff
• raw material

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

Recent Examples of cast

Verb

One of the many clever strokes in Andrew O’Hagan’s 2024 novel Caledonian Road was casting his floundering, public intellectual hero as the author of a best-selling biography of Johannes Vermeer. — Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026

Conservative lawyer Michael Edney cast the move in a long line of other attempts to pare back statutes from that era. — Carrie Johnson, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

Through it all, each member of the 11-person cast plays an instrument — or two or three or four — while toggling between characters, belting lyrics and executing Chi-San Howard’s enthralling choreography. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Also joining the cast are Chris Candy, Travis Hammer, Thom Rivera and Derek Hinkey. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing cast

• cast (off)
• cast (up)
• cast about (for)
• cast around (for)
• cast down
• cast out