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 The first plan wasn't working, so both the calendar and the September game plans have been tossed aside. Zac Jackson, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 During an early part of the match, Nia tossed Jade into the steel steps, resulting in Jade getting cut on her face or forehead. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 Subramanian is also weighing a defense motion to have Combs' convictions tossed. Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025 Black and his co-writers soften the cold mercenary side of Parker by giving him something of a moral compass, which prompts him to toss $10,000 to the stranger’s wife before fleeing the scene. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for toss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss
Verb
  • Walk the pristine beaches and sway in a hammock over the still waters of the Ionian Sea.
    Gary Portuesi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But in a market where the Canadiens rule, more work is needed to sway local interest.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Notice: are people fidgeting, looking at their hands, or rolling their eyes?
    Anne Sugar, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The man fidgets, shifts around in his seat and fixates on Zarutska before pulling out a small knife and striking her multiple times around her neck.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mahomes also spoke about the Chiefs’ win, which was by far the best Kansas City has looked this season and marked the first time since 2023 that Mahomes threw four touchdowns in a game.
    Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • González had sentenced four young men to prison for throwing Molotov cocktails at a police chief’s vehicle and at an intelligence officer’s house in the town of Encrucijada, where Ferrer’s family lives.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In general, soft cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, and fresh mozzarella should be discarded with any signs of spoilage, including pink discoloration.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Soup holding internally at 113 degrees F after cooling for 2 hours (discarded).
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On Halloween of 2022, just weeks into the new school year, senior Ehni Ler Htoo was making his way through the halls of Proctor High School in Utica, New York, when a fellow student lurched at him from behind, repeatedly plunging a 9-inch hunting knife into his back.
    Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Despite that notable change, watching One Battle After Another is much like the experience of reading Pynchon, who lurches from high comedy to stomach-turning naturalism and punctuates plot-heavy sequences with little grace notes of character portraiture.
    Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He, too, was bowled over by the film's tear-jerking finale.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Travis jerked open the door and slid on his butt down a wing that was on fire.
    Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Insults were hurled at McIlroy with such ferocity that his playing partner Shane Lowry had to be held back from going over the ropes to get at the fans.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
  • During the speech, however, Kemp periodically deviated from building up Astra to hurling insults at several of his competitors in the launch industry.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Coach Joanne is dead set on turning things around this season despite having just been brutally dumped by her girlfriend and co-founder of the team.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Ross took over for Joe Maddon, who five years earlier replaced Rick Renteria in a prior example of the Cubs dumping a first-time manager for a more experienced, accomplished hand.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toss. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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