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 bullpen as a whole was dominant, tossing 15 shutout innings this week in St. Louis. Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 27 June 2025 Ryan Brasier, Michael Fulmer and Porter Hodge combined to toss three scoreless innings of relief to close out the Cubs’ seventh shutout of the season. David Solomon, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025 According to local lore, the tradition began when a rancher in the Nebraska Sandhills tossed a few lawn chairs into a stock tank, climbed in, and let the river do the rest—the idea stuck. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2025 Compared to traditional compost containers, these appliances are more expensive, potentially noisier, and (even with their streamlined interfaces) objectively more complicated than tossing your banana peels in a bin. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for toss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss
Verb
  • The White House’s fiscal policies will sway earnings too, as tax cuts, the end of certain tax credits, more spending on defense, and less spending on the social safety net ripple through corporate America and consumers.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 June 2025
  • The whipsaw of global trade negotiations can quickly sway market sentiment and pose an ongoing threat to the strength of this rally.
    Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • For weeks, Combs, 55, has maintained an attentive and easygoing presence inside a Manhattan federal courtroom — occasionally shaking his head, fidgeting in his seat or passing notes to his attorneys.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 18 June 2025
  • Part of identifying suspicious travelers relies on noticing behaviors such as fidgeting or having a penetrating stare, which government watchdogs and some lawmakers have criticized in the past as an unreliable basis for probable cause.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Ohtani recorded two strikeouts while throwing 18 pitches, allowing his only baserunner on an error when Mookie Betts dropped a popup in the sun.
    Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • Guardians starter Luis Ortiz, who had thrown 4 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball to that point, had already gotten Butler down 0-2 twice, and struck him out twice.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Analysts say Ukraine is among the countries that are the most affected by land mines and discarded explosives as a result of Russia’s ongoing war.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
  • One defense expert suggested that O’Keefe’s injuries were caused by a dog, backing up the defense’s theory that O’Keefe was beaten inside the home of a fellow cop, attacked by his dog and discarded outside during a blizzard.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The world is lurching toward autocracy, with alarming speed.
    Elisa Manfredini, Time, 14 June 2025
  • In the final moments, Molly lurches forward into this brave new world, with nothing but the overalls on her back and her best friend who can barely start her car.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Then, of course, there were the jerking motions and the cognitive decline.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2025
  • More often than not, the jerking movements to get free only bring the meal into contact with more points of sticky contact.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Sadly, Murphy believes, scrutiny hurled at the show’s Carolyn is eerily similar in to how the media and public treated Bessette-Kennedy.
    Marc Malkin, Variety, 19 June 2025
  • There were also reports of demonstrators hurling objects at police.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • But if the Orioles are willing to dump him off for next to nothing, the Mets could explore the idea.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • The development team framed the deal as a way for the city to create more low-income housing, dump the financial burden of the unoccupied property and secure a money-making property at the end of the lease.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toss. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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