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 Throughout his trial and during his April 2018 sentencing in Sacramento Superior Court, Bracamontes repeatedly hurled insults, profanity and racist epithets at those in the courtroom, including Oliver’s mother and his law enforcement partner. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026 Joel appears poised to hurl a rock at the home on the cover of his 1980 album, Glass Houses. — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026 In another confrontation with Ravana, Lakshmana intervenes to protect Vibhishana from a spear hurled by Ravana. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 In Albania, where anger over development in a nature preserve has spawned an antigovernment movement, protesters hurled Molotov cocktails. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurl

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurl

Verb

At some point that night, Ammann vomited black fluid, Frei later testified.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
On the surface, his new album Antione’s Son is the same old same old—airy melodies, drug talk, vomiting ad-libs—but punched up by suburban ennui and in-the-weeds romantic tales that makes the music feel refreshingly personal.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of vomit

Verb

There, a male peacock may strut past in full display, while groups of Patagonian maras—large, rabbit-like rodents native to Argentina—scurry along the trails.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2026
Hundreds of workers will be scurrying around the downtown arena each day, ensuring the marathon run of events unfolds smoothly.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of scurry

Verb

Each man wins one round of the fight before it’s broken up, ensuring there’s no clear winner — but the mere fact that Cliff was able to throw a martial arts legend into the side of a car is a feather in his cap.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2026
The ball was wet, leading to a few fumbles, while Fagnano couldn’t handle the pressure the Jaguars threw at him on his clear pass downs, leading to two interceptions.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of throw

Verb

Claude Fable 5 had produced a counterexample to the conjecture, much like how an ostrich is a counterexample to the conjecture that all birds can fly.

— Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
Jimmy Louis, 70, who was flying with his two children, last flew to Haiti two years ago.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of fly

Verb

Nix tossed a pair of touchdown passes, using the same play-call each time — leaking a back or wide receiver into the end zone.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Drake London had his only reception on the next play, but the threat stalled when Penix tossed three incompletions from the 14 to turn the ball over on downs.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III’s assignment was to rush the passer on the most pivotal play of the Jayhawks’ 33-32 loss to UCF on Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
Riley rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, added 88 receiving yards and a receiving TD, and returned a kickoff 20 yards — good for 300 all-purpose yards and three total scores.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of rush

Verb

And if Herbert is offended by his passes being compared to someone flinging some Boar's Head around, then maybe work on not leading the league with ten interceptions.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Guests who think an occasional bottle of wine flung on the counter has rendered this custom obsolete should note that any sensible hostess will disagree.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of fling

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hurdling

hurl

hurled

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“Hurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurl. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of hurl

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