sling 1 of 2

Definition of slingnext

sling

2 of 2

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sling distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sling are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When is cast a more appropriate choice than sling?

The synonyms cast and sling are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When might fling be a better fit than sling?

While in some cases nearly identical to sling, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When would hurl be a good substitute for sling?

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

hurled himself at the intruder

Where would pitch be a reasonable alternative to sling?

While the synonyms pitch and sling are close in meaning, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When can throw be used instead of sling?

The words throw and sling 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 could toss be used to replace sling?

The meanings of toss and sling 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 sling
Verb
In April the army slung a succession of drones on the city of Nyala in the state of South Darfur, the seat of power of the RSF’s parallel government. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 Shows end and fame fades, but the beef stands will stay slinging. Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026 Read more about how Burns went from slinging barbeque ribs to cherry pies, from The Star’s Jenna Thompson. Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026 Meanwhile at Gucci’s coed show, Demna offered up painted on black trousers, slung low on the hips with unbuttoned shirts. Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sling
Verb
  • Given the dramatic manner in which the hulking piers marched down the center of the institution’s narrow corridor, flanked by the photographer’s three-inch-square Polaroids, hung as if in awed supplication, the effect verged on hyperbole, the gnomic ceding to the grandiose.
    James Quandt, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • Portraits of the Hobhouse family, who lived here for more than two centuries, hang alongside tapestry wall trophies in the drawing room, while the teal bar mixes original cornicing with vibrant bamboo chairs.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Houser grinded through a pair of long innings that ate into his pitch count, throwing 37 pitches in the first inning and 27 more pitches in the third inning.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 31 May 2026
  • But the game was overshadowed by a pregame incident that resulted in three ejections before the first pitch was thrown.
    Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Arraez was then picked off and the inning was over without Schmitt getting a chance to swing the bat.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • Given Waters’ stature as a congressional representative for 35 years, Ali said, her slate mailers can swing outcomes.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • The third-base umpire tossed Angels reliever Brent Suter and Rays pitchers Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodríguez from the late-afternoon game at Tropicana Field.
    Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
  • Various objects had been tossed from the two-level porch and lay scattered across the grass.
    Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Instead, its discreet entrance beckons you into a foyer alight with more than a dozen dangling glass lamps crafted by Barovier & Toso of Murano, and a sketch-like portrait of the actress Monica Vitti by the Franco-Chinese painter Yan Pei-Ming.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • The Princess of Wales’ earrings were crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and featured the brand’s Nile hoop earrings with dangling bee charms.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Hokusai is known for its bright rays of debris that stretch thousands of kilometers across the planet, created when material blasted from beneath Mercury's surface was hurled outward during the impact.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 28 May 2026
  • The girl hurled the ball all the way down the hallway, and Hadley bounded happily to retrieve and gently return it.
    Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • The impact then flung the Pilot west, and the front of the car crashed with the back of Quinones Lewis’s Ford Fiesta, according to the affidavit.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
  • The theater was also immediately gutted, the audience chairs yanked out and flung into a pile in the middle of the studio.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sling. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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