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
The alcohol was sharpening her mind to a high pitch of awareness and longing. —Tessa Hadley, New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2026 That’s created a dual-county dynamic in the race, where San Diego County candidates have to make their pitch to Coachella Valley voters and vice versa. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
Public Investment Fund has informed PwC that the restriction imposed in February 2025 has been lifted and invited the firm to start pitching for new work, according to people familiar with the matter. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026 At Wisconsin, Mnookin in 2024 authorized police to clear an early pro-Palestinian encampment, before reaching a deal with the Madison chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine to take down the tents that were pitched, according to the student newspaper and university statements. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 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
  • Almost 1,000 feet across and 400 feet deep, the Blue Hole is accessible by dive boat tours.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
  • If Jungle Bird is rooted in dive culture, Hawthorne’s is firmly in the Disney camp.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of dive
Noun
  • Beyond the slopes, winter musts include wildlife spotting in Grand Teton National Park, a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge, and strolling downtown Jackson, known for its iconic antler arches.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
  • She was transported off the slope by helicopter.
    — Zack Pierce, New York Times, 30 Jan. 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
  • At Flamingo Road Nursery, staff have already activated their cold‑weather action plan as temperatures are expected to plunge this weekend.
    — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The weather pattern across the United States has become increasingly amplified, with surges of arctic air plunging south through the central Plains and into the eastern third of the country.
    — Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of plunge
Verb
  • No plan has yet materialized, but lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee said they were swayed by safety concerns in the prisons and county jails — and by a new willingness from Polis’ staff to discuss prison overcrowding.
    — The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The audience swayed to the grooves of music from the Katamari Damacy series before Okubo changed the tone with the powerful beat of Tekken 8, creating a more aggressive vibe.
    — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of sway
Verb
  • But of all the spaghetti that got thrown at the wall, this is the one that hits for reasons that are totally orthogonal to politics and sort of Washington.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The changes to and cancellation of courses comes months after a viral video of a student confronting an instructor over her lessons threw Texas A&M, one of the largest universities in the country, into upheaval.
    — Juan A. Lozano, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of throw
Verb
  • That made Wall Street nervous that companies will soon be able to dump their existing, specialized subscriptions to data analytics and research software, directly hurting software companies’ bottom lines.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The driver was dumping dirt into a nearby construction zone and left the trailer up while merging onto the freeway.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of dump
Verb
  • LinkedIn data reveals that employees who combine hard and soft skills get promoted about 8% faster than those who focus only on technical abilities, and skills like communication, teamwork and problem solving are linked to promotions up to 11% faster.
    — Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The project was planned to clear the area of outdated and dilapidated buildings, to attract new businesses and promote economic revitalization.
    — Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 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 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

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