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 Scott Peterson asks for murder conviction to be tossed, citing 'substantial new evidence'. Staff, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Pair them with your favorite bra top at the gym, and then toss on a slouchy tee or sweater after hours. Korin Miller, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025 Pally was courtside for the game and subsequent medal ceremony when cameras caught Curry tossing up a Mr. Throwback reference — chubby cheeks — from the podium. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025 Just before serving, add the asparagus-bean mixture to the serving bowl and toss well, adding more lemon juice, olive oil or salt to your taste. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for toss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss
Verb
  • Combs’ defense team made arguments for delaying the trial up to two months, but the judge was not swayed.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Tribal dancers stomp and sway alongside breakdancers, all in one continuous shot that becomes an anachronistic continuum of Black musical expression across the ages.
    A.A. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Game players knew this was coming and fidgeted in their seats to see what their uninitiated friends and family would make of last night’s big The Last of Us episode.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Then came Brian Harman, fidgeting over each practice swing.
    Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The cherry blossom motif wallpaper, floral curtains, and throw blanket are all from Pierre Frey, while the four-poster bed is made by Porte Italia.
    Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The first pitch Sánchez threw registered at 93.7 mph, something of a red flag considering his sinker has sat at 96 mph all season.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The life of a child in the mother’s womb, as well as the lives of the elderly and the sick, who in more and more countries are looked upon as people to be discarded.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The life of a child in the mother's womb, as well as the lives of the elderly and the sick, who in more and more countries are looked upon as people to be discarded.
    NPR Staff, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • My stomach dropped as my seat lurched backwards, pointing me towards the shoreline.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As the war lurched into its fourth year, Russian losses of tanks, fighting vehicles and other heavy equipment had exceeded 20,000, according to the analysts at the Oryx intelligence collective, which confirms each loss with imagery from the front line.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As soon as Tatiana Pino turned her dark blue Land Rover Defender into her long asphalt driveway, the flatbed truck jerked into reverse and slammed into the passenger side of her SUV, according to footage of the Aug. 30, 2023, hit-and-run obtained by the Herald.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This apparently spooked an SUV driver in the next lane, who jerked the wheel to the left and ran into the opposite curb.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The massive Ford Raptor truck then reverses away from the lot, hurling Sloan to the ground.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Then, as Ventura was motionless on the floor, Combs appears to kick her and later hurls an object from a table at her.
    Liam Quinn, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Atmospheric rivers out West also tend to dump their heaviest rain over the open water in the Pacific, because the storms they’re associated with typically peak in strength there.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Last week brought a frenzied trading session in the bond markets as investors dumped bonds overnight—sending the 30-year Treasury yield briefly above 5 percent.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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