Synonyms of toss

toss

verb

ˈtȯs 

1

as in to sway

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions

the boat tossed to and fro in the heavy seas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sway
• lurch
• shake
• rock
• roll
• jerk
• halt
• vibrate
• tumble
• careen
• wobble
• pitch
• wabble
• weave
• vacillate
• seesaw
• stumble
• falter
• toddle
• stagger
• reel
• flounder
• hobble
• waddle
• buck
• waver
• totter
• hitch
• jolt
• blunder
• oscillate
• wag
• undulate
• teeter
• waggle
• dodder

2

as in to fidget

to make jerky or restless movements

tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to sleep in the heat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fidget
• jerk
• squirm
• twitch
• twist
• fiddle
• shake
• wiggle
• writhe
• shiver
• tremble
• jiggle
• wriggle
• thrash
• thresh
• jig
• flit
• flutter
• shudder
• quiver
• squiggle
• quake
• pace
• twitter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• relax
• unwind
• calm (down)
• still

3

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm

toss that football over here

Synonyms & Similar Words

• throw
• hurl
• fling
• sling
• fire
• chuck
• launch
• cast
• heave
• let fly
• pitch
• flip
• lob
• catapult
• bowl
• dash
• dart
• hurtle
• pelt
• peg
• gun
• roll
• loft
• pass
• thrust
• hook
• shoot
• propel
• eject
• rifle
• precipitate
• project
• impel
• buck

4

as in to discard

to get rid of as useless or unwanted

we need to go through the basement and toss whatever we don't use

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discard
• dump
• ditch
• unload
• lose
• scrap
• abandon
• chuck
• reject
• jettison
• shed
• remove
• throw away
• exorcise
• exorcize
• junk
• cast (off)
• throw out
• set aside
• slough (off)
• lay by
• fling (off or away)
• dismiss
• eliminate
• shuck (off)
• dispose of
• sluff (off)
• deep-six
• forsake
• cashier
• pitch
• eighty-six
• abdicate
• 86
• abolish
• kick out
• desert
• eradicate
• wipe out
• expunge
• exterminate
• extinguish
• annihilate
• extirpate
• liquidate
• stamp (out)
• root (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• use
• adopt
• embrace
• take on
• utilize
• employ
• hold
• keep
• retain
• hold back

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

Recent Examples of toss

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers tosses the ball back during a 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on... —Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025

Grapevine blanks Lubbock-Cooper for series lead Grapevine pitcher Luke Esquivel tossed a gem in Game 1 as the Mustangs shut out Lubbock-Cooper 4-0 in a Class 5A Division II regional final on Friday, May 23, at Brownwood High School. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2025

When serving, toss together individual portions and top with a few sliced cherry tomatoes. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2025

Some, like outfielder Ty Jackson and catcher Bill Leroy, were playing football with kids, while Andy Archer was seen tossing a baseball around with kids who brought gloves. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025

Phrases Containing toss

• toss (down or off)
• toss one's cookies