TOSS Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

toss

verb

ˈtȯs

Definition of toss

as in to sway

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions the boat tossed to and fro in the heavy seas

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as in to fidget

to make jerky or restless movements tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to sleep in the heat

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as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm toss that football over here

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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

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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 Then, just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker for a seriously delicious meat-and-potatoes meal with carrots and celery added. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026 He was tossed from the game during the 64th minute after he got tangled up with Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 Remove from the oven, carefully toss, then bake for 6 minutes more, or until the chips are toasted and golden brown. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 Using a grater, grate the butter into pieces over flour mixture, tossing to coat butter. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for toss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss

Verb

Matz said Bay Point’s gate and its proximity to the Design District and downtown Miami swayed the buyers of the home at 790 Lake Rd.

— Catherine Odom July 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Public support for Gantz, who had become the most favorable political figure among Israelis in the wake of October 7, declined rapidly for his failure to either sway Netanyahu’s decision-making or force early elections to replace him.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

Definition of sway

Verb

In addition to having lofty themes, this is also a fairly rousing adventure with enough visual panache to keep any kid from fidgeting in his seat.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 June 2026
A lot of those people have Victoria Baumann and Charlie Moreton to thank, the father-daughter duo behind Victoria Essie Studio that produces fidget toys and other knickknacks out of their homes in North Carolina.

— Jennifer Liu Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 14 June 2026

Definition of fidget

Verb

Spinach dip, sweet cream and cream cheese had dates on them that were past due and should have been discarded.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
The first-stage booster that had been tapped during the original attempts was discarded for a new booster.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Definition of discard

Verb

Once, somewhere in southern Virginia, Dad performed the customary lurch off the highway in the direction of a promising barbecue counter.

— Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
The same boom-and-bust dependency on the oil industry, whose profits were now funnelled through the regime and its allies, kept the country lurching from one crisis to the next.

— Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

Watching their relationship devolve (never more so than when their sperm donor, a rakish, motorcycle-driving restaurant owner played by Mark Ruffalo, enters the scene) is most definitely a tear-jerking experience, as is the film’s final scene.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026
Some were petty — like Reese committing a foul against Clark, then jerking her head back, impersonating Clark as a flopper.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026

Definition of jerk

Verb

Nearly 13,000 barrels of crude oil were dumped into nearby Mill Creek, prompting a 24/7 cleanup restoration lasting a little over a month.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026
Norway’s talisman, the man looking to dump England out of the World Cup quarter-finals later today, was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of dump

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“Toss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toss. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of toss

verb

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on toss

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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Games & Quizzes