toss

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word toss distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of toss are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, sling, and throw. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

Where would cast be a reasonable alternative to toss?

In some situations, the words cast and toss are roughly equivalent. However, 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 toss?

The meanings of fling and toss largely overlap; however, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When might hurl be a better fit than toss?

While in some cases nearly identical to toss, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

In what contexts can pitch take the place of toss?

Although the words pitch and toss have much in common, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When is sling a more appropriate choice than toss?

While the synonyms sling and toss are close in meaning, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When could throw be used to replace toss?

The words throw and toss 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

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 toss Before each scream, screamers ball up each slip of paper and toss it into the lake then scream. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025 The controversy began Monday when a video surfaced on social media showing multiple dark objects being tossed from what appeared to be a second-floor window of the White House. Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025 The third-person gunplay looks much more in-depth than anything seen in the Hitman games, with Bond able to improve moves like tossing an empty rifle at an enemy to quickly gain ground for a takedown. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025 Destroyed in one second by my mother, its shreds tossed into the garbage can under the sink. Miriam Toews september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for toss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss
Verb
  • The strength of the relationship between buyer and seller can substantially sway pricing, as can both sides’ awareness of alternative options for the same or similar data.
    Seth Joseph, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • But Garcia's Fireballs GC finished eighth, falling short of the impact needed to sway Donald's decision.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Applause intermingled with tears as the families of the Camp Mystic campers and counselors looked on, many with small children fidgeting in their Sunday-best attire behind the governor.
    Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Weaver recalled a recent moment with her youngest daughter, Hadley, describing how the 6-year-old began to fidget and lose focus toward the end of a homework assignment.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • While much of last season was a lost cause due to Tua Tagovailoa being injured, the Dolphins still aren't throwing the ball downfield.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Or, take after Aniston by throwing them on with flip-flops and a basic T-shirt.
    Averi Baudler, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • According to a criminal complaint, Briceno, whom authorities said is an undocumented immigrant, used a firearm to shoot inside the doorway of the bar and then discarded the firearm, which law enforcement never recovered.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In mahjong, four players draw and discard tiles with different suits, numbers and Chinese characters.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As bystanders watched, the luxury yacht lurched to one side, tilting dangerously before taking on water.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In the face of this onslaught, the alcohol industry’s efforts to make drinking popular again have lurched into paranoia.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The president starts out by making a visit to Liberty Arena to play basketball with some school children, then gets jerked away when the crisis happens.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
  • If Hall jerked too violently, let alone tried to run, the wire would pull the trigger, firing the shotgun Kiritsis had pointed at the back of Hall’s head.
    Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Born in what is now Zimbabwe, Bland spent hours as a child hurling stones at telegraph poles.
    James Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Protesters hurled rocks at government vehicles, breaking windows and side-view mirrors, according to prosecutors.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Dexter has borrowed Prater’s yacht to dump his body into the East River.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The season will detail 10 different cases, including a Las Vegas journalist ambushed outside his residence, a body dumped in a NYC tunnel, and a mission to discover the identity of a victim found in the East River.
    Giana Levy, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toss. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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