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
• careen
• wobble
• tumble
• pitch
• weave
• vacillate
• seesaw
• falter
• stumble
• toddle
• reel
• stagger
• 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
• abandon
• scrap
• chuck
• jettison
• reject
• shed
• remove
• throw away
• eliminate
• exorcise
• junk
• cast (off)
• throw out
• set aside
• slough (off)
• lay by
• fling (off or away)
• shuck (off)
• dismiss
• dispose of
• sluff (off)
• deep-six
• forsake
• pitch
• abdicate
• eighty-six
• cashier
• abolish
• eradicate
• kick out
• desert
• 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

Miller finished the round with the hairpiece, then ripped it off in his corner between rounds and tossed it into the crowd at Madison Square Garden. —Isabel Yip, NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026

Madi Lam of Santa Margarita tossed touchdowns to Ella Woods of Newport Harbor and Hayli McIlroy of Crean Lutheran to lead the South. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026

Add beets and currants; toss to combine. —Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026

Old Ice Cubes Ice cubes that have been sitting in the freezer for an extended period should be tossed, and the tray should be thoroughly washed before refilling. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing toss

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