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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Despite not registering a goal or an assist in just over an hour on the pitch, the youngster was never afraid to receive the ball and try to make something happen. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 The color was made from white pitch (resin from a spruce tree), myrrh, and, yes, ground-up mummies. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 29, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
And Mae would not allow that, and was still in there pitching and relishing. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 The Braves battled through a long list of pitching injuries that left their rotation depleted for the Wild Card Series against the Phillies. — CBS News, 29 Sep. 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
  • The resort also has its own resident marine biologist, Nairika, who works alongside the dive center to help guests better understand the many mysteries of the ocean on their doorstep.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Rescue teams continued to search for the third boater, including efforts from the Massachusetts Environmental Police, who used side-scan sonar and a dive team, according to the release.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of dive
Noun
  • On a hot Saturday, Pawlikowski and I revisited those heights—the slopes from which, for almost four years, starting in the spring of 1992, Serbian artillery pounded Sarajevo, which lies vulnerably cupped in the valley below.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The rainwater hit bedrock and raced down steep mountain slopes like water on a slide.
    — Ren Larson, ProPublica, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of slope
Verb
  • The court’s decision comes just weeks after the administration erected the first border wall panels in the Big Bend sector in the middle of September.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The blades were smaller then, the towers shorter, the whole apparatus closer to a windmill than the hulking machines erected today—the tallest of which exceed 300 meters, with rotor blades longer than a football field.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • An unusual treat is the co-ed soaking pool, overlooking Lake Mishkin, which allows families to plunge and relax together before or after their treatments, which run the gamut from massage to sound bath to tea ceremonies.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • GoPro went public at $24 per share five years before that, and has plunged over 94%, as of Monday.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of plunge
Verb
  • The Justice Department also says Beijing is determined to sway American public opinion in its favor by cultivating relationships with political figures seen as having access to the levers of power.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • George Cheeks will rule TV, overseeing the linear channels and TV studios, which still holds enormous influence and sway.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of sway
Verb
  • Bella chews him out for punching Angus in the face right before Angus’s big presentation, which Johnny knew about because they were supposed to throw a return supper for him, a dinner Johnny was supposed to cook.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Victories by Germany’s AfD in state elections have thrown the viability of the country’s government into doubt, while France’s National Rally is the odds-on favorite to win next year’s presidential election.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of throw
Verb
  • Michael Conforto dumped a full beer down the back of an unsuspecting Carson Kelly while across the room Shota Imanaga threw his head back, opened his arms and let out a yell as assistant hitting coach Juan Cabreja uncorked the champagne.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike institutional investors, who rely on algorithms to dump underperforming shares at the first sign of trouble, Coyle says retail buyers are more likely to stick around in good times and bad.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of dump
Verb
  • Inspired by his legacy, cofounders George and Amal Clooney created the Albies to ensure that the people doing the hardest work to promote justice — often far from the spotlight — are seen, heard and protected.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Around two dozen states have enacted some version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which has been heavily promoted at the state and federal level by the AKA.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pitch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pitch

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