HURL Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'hurl' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hurl are cast , fling , 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," hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: When could 'cast' be used to replace 'hurl'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hurl , cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. // cast it to the winds

Q: When would 'fling' be a good substitute for 'hurl'?

The words fling and hurl are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

Q: When can 'pitch' be used instead of 'hurl'?

The meanings of pitch and hurl largely overlap; however, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sling' instead of 'hurl'?

Although the words sling and hurl have much in common, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

Q: In what contexts can 'throw' take the place of 'hurl'?

While the synonyms throw and hurl are close in meaning, 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

Q: Where would 'toss' be a reasonable alternative to 'hurl'?

The synonyms toss and hurl are sometimes interchangeable, but toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

hurl

verb

ˈhər(-ə)l

Definition of hurl

as in to vomit

to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth that meal was so gross I thought I was going to hurl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to scurry

to proceed or move quickly a fighter jet hurled through the sky

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm hurled snowballs at each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hurl distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hurl are cast, fling, 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," hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When could cast be used to replace hurl?

While in some cases nearly identical to hurl, cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When would fling be a good substitute for hurl?

The words fling and hurl are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When can pitch be used instead of hurl?

The meanings of pitch and hurl largely overlap; however, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When is it sensible to use sling instead of hurl?

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

slung the bag over his shoulder

In what contexts can throw take the place of hurl?

While the synonyms throw and hurl are close in meaning, 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

Where would toss be a reasonable alternative to hurl?

The synonyms toss and hurl are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 hurl The fashion genius who hurled anti-semitic slurs at strangers in 2011 will be honored at the next Met Gala. — Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2026 Video from outside the arena shows counterprotesters shouting through megaphones, hurling slurs and attempting to rip XX-XY shirts from the hands of Cunningham’s supporters. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 While the violent mobs who hurled stones at marchers in 1966 are long gone, civil rights advocates say their demands remained strikingly familiar and that the threat to democracy has not disappeared. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 Resinous pine cones can also ignite and be hurled hundreds of meters by wind, helping fire spread. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurl

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurl

Verb

When his parents brought him to an emergency room, his symptoms were vomiting, fatigue, lethargy, and weakness.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026
Allegedly, so many cinema-goers vomited and fainted during the initial screenings of William Friedkin’s The Exorcist (1973) that theatre staff had to hand out smelling salts.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of vomit

Verb

Vaquer took out Rodriguez and Perez in the process before the trio scurried away.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
While on camera in Los Angeles' Sherman Oaks neighborhood during a live broadcast, a cockroach scurried across Menitoff's blouse and chest before flying away.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of scurry

Verb

When Aemond refuses to fight, Aegon conscripts him to fly to Tumbleton to deal with their uppity little brother.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Some more images show Kidman, Bullock, 62, King, 26, and Williams, 29, wearing flowing gowns while hooked onto wires, seemingly filming a scene that involves flying, in front of a blue screen.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of fly

Verb

The slab was too heavy to toss aside, and Osorio was worried there could be more people trapped underneath.

— Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Taylor Walls homered from both sides of the plate for the second time in his career, Nick Martinez tossed a complete game and the Tampa Bay Rays won their eighth straight game, 12-4 over the Athletics on Tuesday night.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

Some critics worry the country is rushing to deploy risky and unnecessary new technology at a time when wind, solar and battery power are increasingly affordable and reliable.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
And rather than rush to a decision during a pastoral transition, the church chose to set the conversation aside.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of rush

Verb

The boundary between indoor and outdoor living is nearly erased as floor-to-ceiling glass windows and walls are flung open to redefine the term cross-breeze.

— Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
At least 15 Tigers groundskeepers joined a seventh-inning squirrel chase that spilled into right field, where the critter ran into Leody Taveras’ glove and was accidentally flung skyward.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of fling

Verb

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was on vacation when the mission began and hurried back to Washington as troops mobilized.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
That’s how Drake Maye ended his latest two-minute drill at Patriots training camp Monday, a meandering march that began around midfield and ended with Maye hurrying the offense to the 3-yard line with 10 seconds on the clock.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurry

Browse Nearby Words

hurdling

hurl

hurled

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“Hurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurl. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hurl

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