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throw

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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
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, who went 22-of-30 for 206 yards and three touchdowns, also threw a costly interception in Colts territory early in the fourth quarter, taking points off the board. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom causing neck and back injuries. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Vrabel wanted to control the middle of the field and bait Tagovailoa into low-percentage, outside throws that would test his arm strength. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025 Smith didn’t complete a single pass that traveled in the air for 10 yards or more, and the Chargers deflected 15 of his throws. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw
Verb
  • One night earlier, Cecconi tossed eight scoreless innings and carried a no-hitter through seven.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Move the ingredients to the hole and toss to cover them with the sauce.
    Linda Gassenheimer, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The video, released Thursday night, showed a person running across a rooftop of the building from which the fatal round was fired before climbing down and dropping to the ground.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The researchers found that shelter canines were more active at night and showed higher stress hormone levels shortly after intake, but their activity and stress levels dropped over time—especially after adoption.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Analysts noted the backlog, which includes the $500 billion Stargate supercomputer venture with SoftBank and OpenAI, makes Oracle’s long-term revenue targets highly achievable.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Yet just a fraction of 1% are building the kinds of technology ventures that attract institutional capital.
    Gelila, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Quirarte had switched to a still camera when Slebir, towed on a Jet Ski by his longtime surfing buddy Luca Padua of Half Moon Bay, hurled to the crest of the gigantic wave and let go of his tether.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Solar flares are colossal explosions in the sun's atmosphere that hurl out bursts of powerful radiation.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This stems from the concept of reparations in the popular consciousness being flattened to mean checks for Black people making up for the harms of slavery.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • This two-way exchange not only bridges generational divides but also flattens traditional hierarchies.
    Ernestine Siu Shreya Ghosal, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For Machado and the Venezuelan opposition, embracing a narrative in which Maduro is a drug lord, not just a dictator, is a bit of a gamble.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The lifestyle as a whole is a gamble too.
    Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At the plaza, Seth Teasdale was nearby as Kirk flung some caps into the crowd, then settled into his seat under the canopy to take questions.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Her flippers, each more than two feet long, scooped out sand and flung it to her sides in slow, determined strokes.
    M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Investors peg the chances of a quarter-point rate cut this month at about 90% and the odds of a half-point cut at nearly 10%, according to CME FedWatch Tool, a measure of market sentiment.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • What began as a chance to build a sales team and achieve financial independence turned into a mission to serve working families.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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