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Definition of slingnext

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
The comic book adventure, starring Tom Holland as Marvel’s web-slinging hero, ignited to $360 million domestically and a mind-blowing $932 million globally, the biggest domestic and second-largest global debut in history. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 The breathtaking shots of the hero web-slinging and sprinting through New York City felt like my own attempts at being everywhere at once. Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026 The industry has borrowed the tactics of touring artists and fashion drops, promoting limited premium-format screenings and slinging special-edition popcorn buckets. Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 In recent days, the quarterbacks slung completions all over the field and close to a dozen touchdown passes. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sling
Verb
  • Once Birdie and her cousin were back outside, the air hung green and full.
    Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That strange sense of incompletion hung over the Detroit Tigers’ clubhouse Saturday night.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But Daemon gets thrown from the saddle, and Caraxes allows Sheepstealer to escape or at least to slink off into the woods to die alone.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • By the time all was said and done, Prielipp had walked three, including one with the bases loaded, and had thrown 35 pitches.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In a game of fine margins, which way those nations swing could prove crucial.
    Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • By Sunday, the Marvel-Sony tentpole should swing to $143 million, which represents about a 60% decline from its record-breaking $360 million debut.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As a kid, Cook was a delivery boy tossing newspapers onto front lawns in his small hometown of Robertsdale, Alabama.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Kirby Yates, acquired Monday from the Angels, tossed a scoreless ninth for Pittsburgh.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • At the same time, Ted Lasso left several plot threads dangling.
    Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Video footage shows the horse dangling from a harness as rescuers move the animal to safer ground.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Scientists are curious about the sun's inner workings to better track massive bursts of energy called coronal mass ejections that can hurl toward Earth.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • After hurling six scoreless innings in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over the Cardinals, Weathers expressed a willingness to pitch in relief.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The boundary between indoor and outdoor living is nearly erased as floor-to-ceiling glass windows and walls are flung open to redefine the term cross-breeze.
    Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • At least 15 Tigers groundskeepers joined a seventh-inning squirrel chase that spilled into right field, where the critter ran into Leody Taveras’ glove and was accidentally flung skyward.
    Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sling. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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