throw 1 of 2

throw

2 of 2

noun

as in venture
a risky undertaking a desperate throw, that could jump-start his presidential campaign or end it right there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word throw distinct from other similar verbs?

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

In what contexts can cast take the place of throw?

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

cast it to the winds

Where would fling be a reasonable alternative to throw?

While the synonyms fling and throw are close in meaning, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When could hurl be used to replace throw?

The meanings of hurl and throw largely overlap; however, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When would pitch be a good substitute for throw?

The words pitch and throw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When can sling be used instead of throw?

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

slung the bag over his shoulder

When might toss be a better fit than throw?

Although the words toss and throw have much in common, 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 throw
Verb
Unlike other characters that need to jump on enemies to defeat them, DK can throw an endless stream of haymaker punches in all directions and can even rip chunks of rock and the ground itself out to throw with precision. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025 Its members have thrown bananas, eggs and lunch meat at officials or pro-Beijing lawmakers as a protest gesture. Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
Noun
May gave up a run in the first after Kiké Hernández airmailed a throw to the plate with two outs, negating Ohtani’s leadoff blast (his 29th home run of the season, and eighth to lead off a game). Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025 Denver Water’s board authorized the acquisition plans — for 23 properties spanning roughly 18 acres that are a stone’s throw from its complex south of downtown — in April and May. Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw
Verb
  • For weeks, social media has been flooded with videos of federal agents, their faces often shrouded by masks, violently arresting bystanders who are filming their actions, dragging a taco stand vendor by her arm and tossing smoke bombs into a crowd of angry onlookers.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • They’re rolled across bathroom floors, stored in public bins at TSA checkpoints, and tossed into airplane cargo holds.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • After a decade of steady global growth, Tesla’s sales have stalled over the past year, dropping 13% in the first quarter.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • One boss fight in particular should’ve been a greater challenge, but between DK and Pauline dropping literal bombs on the foe, the encounter was over in moments.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Initially hoping to profile the alluring con, journalist Wes Easton’s venture takes a different direction when Roya asks him to ghostwrite a memoir for her instead as a means of resurrecting her reputation.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
  • When corporate processes eclipse the culture, ventures almost inevitably falter.
    Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • President Trump had mostly resisted from hurling direct insults against Fed Chair Powell in his second term.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Trump has repeatedly hurled names and insults onto the political stage, casting rivals as enemies and taking heat for dehumanizing language against immigrants.
    Julia Mueller, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • The internet has fragmented and flattened subcultures.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
  • About a mile south — at a rural corner lot since flattened by Tuesday’s calamitous explosions at a fireworks storage facility — laid the place where their missing sons and grandsons, respectively, were last known to be.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Wolf might not be perfect, but the upside of betting on him hitting is worth the gamble.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2025
  • That’s enough money to make staying in college the bigger gamble.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Sister Brigida, who taught history, flung chalkboard erasers at the ground by our feet, and the yellow dust clung to our dark polyester trousers.
    Ottessa Moshfegh, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • When Squid Game first flung us into its arena of despair, questioning the status quo was the series’ fuel, and its narrative rhythm had the jagged urgency of that initial run of Red Light, Green Light.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • At around 50 cents per pack upon release, collectors had a chance to pull rookie cards of Griffey, Randy Johnson, John Smoltz, and Craig Biggio — just to name a few hall of famers.
    Tyler Holzhammer, New York Times, 7 July 2025
  • Early backers have the chance to buy the device for $1,374, which is nearly half its usual $2,727 cost.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on throw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!