pitch 1 of 2

noun

Definition of pitchnext
1
as in dive
an act or instance of diving the daring pitch of the escaped prisoner into the swirling ocean waters at the base of the cliff

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2
as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the steep pitch of the roof makes it too dangerous to walk on

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pitch

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position needed help pitching a tent

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2
as in to plunge
to cast oneself head first into deep water when a wave hit the float, I lost my balance and pitched into the lake

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3
as in to sway
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions the ship pitched in the choppy sea

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4
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm pitched the baseball almost 50 feet

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5
as in to dump
to get rid of as useless or unwanted we decided to pitch that whole system and start over again

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6
as in to promote
to provide publicity for the cutting-edge ad agency was hired to pitch our products to a younger generation of consumers

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7
as in to slope
to set or cause to be at an angle the roof should be pitched steeply enough to prevent an excessive accumulation of snow

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word pitch distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of pitch are cast, fling, hurl, sling, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When could cast be used to replace pitch?

The synonyms cast and pitch are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 pitch?

The words fling and pitch can be used in similar contexts, but fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

In what contexts can hurl take the place of pitch?

Although the words hurl and pitch have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When is it sensible to use sling instead of pitch?

In some situations, the words sling and pitch are roughly equivalent. However, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

Where would throw be a reasonable alternative to pitch?

The words throw and pitch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When can toss be used instead of pitch?

The meanings of toss and pitch largely overlap; however, 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 pitch
Noun
Then, after six innings and 96 pitches in the Dodgers’ Game 6 victory, Yamamoto contributed 34 more pitches over 2⅔ innings in relief the very next night to win Game 7 and earn Series MVP honors. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026 Iowa was the first state the President hit this year on a tour to reboot his pitch on the economy, one his advisers had been urging to counter the settling narrative that things were not recovering as promised. —Philip Elliott, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Cashman also suggested that top starting pitching prospects Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodríguez could impact the bullpen. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026 Woodard said after playing BYU that the flu had spread throughout the pitching staff during the week, which may have hampered their performance. —Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pitch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitch
  1. dive
  2. slope
  3. erect
  4. plunge
  5. sway
  6. throw
  7. dump
  8. promote
Noun
  • ArieForce One Soar is the largest zero-G stall in America, featuring a first-ever raven-truss dive.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Sister businesses include a music/event venue next door, a private speakeasy and a dive bar.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of dive
Noun
  • The ski slope was abandoned at some point after the 1950s, but Neutaconkanut continues to be a popular yet highly dangerous destination for sledding.
    — Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Although the designer has never been on skis, that didn’t stop him from basing his fall collection on fashions near the slopes.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of slope
Verb
  • This approach still erects a financial barrier for the hundreds of thousands of San Diego County residents who have supported Balboa Park institutions for generations.
    — Judy Gradwohl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Emergency-response teams quickly erected two tent camps in the neighborhood, giving local residents a place to warm up and charge their phones.
    — Michael Holtz, New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • The value of the currency has plunged, and inflation has climbed to record levels.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Five years later, the February 2021 freeze remains a defining reference point each winter when temperatures plunge.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of plunge
Verb
  • Visualization is a huge part of racing, particularly in the speed disciplines of downhill and super-G, and a lot of competitors close their eyes and run the course on a loop in their minds, dipping and swaying with every turn, roller and jump.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Picture the golden glow of Black-eyed Susans and the architectural elegance of native grasses swaying in the prairie breeze.
    — Rosehill Gardens, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of sway
Verb
  • The drone team stationed at ski jumping has come up with a way to catch the drone, change the battery and throw it back in the air.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
  • On a 2009 episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, the stylist’s last-minute work obligations threw a wrench in her plans with her then-husband, Rodger Berman.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of throw
Verb
  • As most Chicagoans aware of the history of the civil rights movement know all too well, an all-white, all-male jury acquitted the two men of killing the Black teenager from Chicago and dumping his body in the river.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The mobsters turned the van around, pulled off the highway and dumped Gasso in a patch of poison ivy along the Connecticut River in Wethersfield.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of dump
Verb
  • Prominent surfing family Van Dyke, originally from Santa Cruz, California, was recognized in the international surfing community for his participation in competitions and his influence in promoting the sport in the Caribbean region.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Books published in the last few years by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Amy Coney Barrett were published in September, allowing time for the justices to promote them before diving into a new term.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of promote

Phrases Containing pitch

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pit bulls
pitch
pitch-black
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Cite this Entry

“Pitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitch. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pitch

Nglish: Translation of pitch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pitch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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