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

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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 Dust and rocky soil were hurled away at a higher angle than expected, according to Mark Robinson, chief scientist for the LRO's cameras who works at Intuitive Machines. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 By nightfall, the protests turned violent, people hurling bricks and taking down the American flag in favor of the Confederate colors. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 In the first inning, Tolle hurled the eighth immaculate inning in Red Sox history. — Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2026 Mercury's rough surface, continually reshaped by debris hurled from impact craters, may have hidden the true extent of the loss, according to the researchers whose findings appear in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. — Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurl

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurl

Verb

When the friend got sick and vomited, driver Vu Tran pulled over on the side of Route 73 in Orange County and all three got out of the car before Normandin-Parker was hit by traffic.

— Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
During the ride, Normandin-Parker's friend became sick and vomited in the car.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of vomit

Verb

On campus, there's that hum of excitement in the air as students find their way to classes, meet new roommates and scurry off to pep rallies and rush week.

— Janet W. Lee, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026
There’s no good time for a cockroach to scurry across a supermarket floor.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of scurry

Verb

In Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency said the Israeli army threw stun grenades where Lebanese army forces were stationed at the entrance to the town of Deir Mimas.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Reboots gonna reboot, although simply restarting things from scratch and/or throwing canon out the window is no guarantee of an upgrade.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of throw

Verb

The second launch flew from North Korea's east coast toward the northeast, flying about 590 km, or about 366 miles, and falling into the Sea of Japan, the ministry said.

— Jessica Gorman, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
On its nine-day Indonesia Odyssey (about $70,000 per person, not including international airfare), guests fly to Bali and check into Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of fly

Verb

Then toss a fresh pair of leggings into your cart to wear with popular oversized sweaters, and cute capris for the in-between-temp days.

— Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
Prison officials said surveillance footage showed Morales and Garcia handed the weapons used to kill Lopez to another inmate, Estevan Saucedo, who tossed them in a garbage can.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

Turkey and Pakistan, with whom Riyadh signed a much-vaunted defence pact last month, aren’t rushing to help the Saudis out.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 20 Sep. 2026
But Amorrortu was held to 26 yards rushing on nine carries and completed 7 of 12 pass attempts for 81 yards.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of rush

Verb

Surveillance footage of the incident shared by Palermo Today shows a number of passengers throwing punches, before one guest flings a chair at another.

— Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
When the ball hit the turf, Rocchio flung his helmet in the air and Cleveland's dugout emptied onto the field to celebrate.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of fling

Verb

That said, Le Flâneur doesn’t necessarily have to be hurried either—guests are welcome to linger, too.

— Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2026
Before hurrying away from his tent on the beach, Saleh was asked what would happen if US support never came.

— Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hurl

verb

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