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
  • However, if Lillard is planning to sign with a team this year and wants to land more than the minimum, that throws a wrench into the larger free-agent landscape.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Unlike other characters that need to jump on enemies to defeat them, DK can throw an endless stream of haymaker punches in all directions and can even rip chunks of rock and the ground itself out to throw with precision.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Spanning over three decades, Syed’s work features discarded, everyday materials that are then woven into striking pieces.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The bill also discards the education requirement so the governor could appoint a Secretary of Education with no education experience.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • On June 18th, the Karen Read saga finally lurched to its inevitable end, when a Norfolk County jury, assigned the unenviable task of spending spring and early summer watching corruption theater in Dedham court, acquitted Ms. Read of all the serious charges against her.
    Tom Blakely, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
  • More to come on this one as the American media M&A space makes another lurch forwards.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Centre Court looked naked without line judges, but Fognini’s presence and touch filled the void and jerked the joie de vivre out of Alcaraz’s racket.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Patrick Walle’s horn solo up top sounded suspended in time, before an increasingly feral orchestra jerked us back to street level.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • President Trump had mostly resisted from hurling direct insults against Fed Chair Powell in his second term.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Trump has repeatedly hurled names and insults onto the political stage, casting rivals as enemies and taking heat for dehumanizing language against immigrants.
    Julia Mueller, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Replace status dumps with two-way updates and invite feedback and surface risks early.
    Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

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

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