1
as in swaying
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the boat tossed to and fro in the heavy seas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in fidgeting
to make jerky or restless movements
tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to sleep in the heat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in throwing
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
toss that football over here
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dumping
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tossing
Whether that’s going to see a show, tossing some axes, cuddling with some cats at a café or racing down the slopes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
—
Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
In a small skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter, add hash brown squares and cook, tossing often, until crispy.
—Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Rather than tossing the sock into the trash, Baer finds a way to reuse it, adding it to her textile recycling pile.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
How to Prepare Your Hat for the Washer Even for machine-washable hats, take a few steps to protect them before tossing them in the washer.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Cleanup does take longer than simply tossing the filter from a drip coffee machine.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Cell Phone Video Footage shows the agent tossing the woman to the ground shortly before using pepper spray on the crowd of observers who had gathered outside the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
—Gio Insignares, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Before tossing to the trailer, which will be officially released in the coming weeks as a follow-up to the teaser last month, Dolan solicited feedback from the audience.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Someone stepped from the hearse, tossing his crutch.
—Chen Yuhong, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
In a small skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter, add hash brown squares and cook, tossing often, until crispy.
—Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Rather than tossing the sock into the trash, Baer finds a way to reuse it, adding it to her textile recycling pile.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
How to Prepare Your Hat for the Washer Even for machine-washable hats, take a few steps to protect them before tossing them in the washer.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Cleanup does take longer than simply tossing the filter from a drip coffee machine.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Cell Phone Video Footage shows the agent tossing the woman to the ground shortly before using pepper spray on the crowd of observers who had gathered outside the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
—Gio Insignares, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Before tossing to the trailer, which will be officially released in the coming weeks as a follow-up to the teaser last month, Dolan solicited feedback from the audience.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Someone stepped from the hearse, tossing his crutch.
—Chen Yuhong, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tossing
Verb
-
The budding photographer started bringing a camera with him on his underwater adventures to document his dives, with imagery posted on social media sharing sea species such as leopard sharks and swaying kelp forests that dance with the ebb of the ocean.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Imagine swaying to Latin rhythms, a taco in one hand, your partner’s hand in the other.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Minimal but purposeful movement, avoiding fidgeting or excessive gestures, shows intention.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Cole, wearing a khaki jumpsuit, spent much of the hearing sitting quietly and attentively as the parties argued, occasionally adjusting his glasses or fidgeting slightly in his chair.—
Gary Grumbach,
NBC news,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Freret is one of three krewes throwing biodegradable beads developed at Louisiana State University.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The flame-throwing pitching prospect didn’t display the greatest command, but his fastball, capable of hitting triple digits when fully built up, sat around 95 mph.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The California Highway Patrol said the driver was dumping dirt into a nearby construction zone and left the trailer up before crashing.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Central banks and global investors are dumping dollars and buying gold.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Natanya complicates her old-school character sketch with cerebral shifts in perspective, affecting each of the voices that accompany a young woman’s drive for success and independence (demanding friends and parents, sexist expectations, her own willpower) in a lurching cascade of melodies.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The midterm blue wave backlash is gathering, with the generic ballot lurching in the Democrats' favor and Trump’s popularity cratering.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The room sighs in relief a second later when Buckley reanimates, jerking and flailing like a soul possessed, grinning maniacally — all on purpose, inspired by the earlier veil snafu.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Feb. 2026
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Some signs that the carburetor is clogged on a snow blower are starting then dying a few seconds afterward, jerking, sputtering noises, and black smoke emitting from the exhaust.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the match continued, the sides grew irritated with each other, resulting in Kennedy hurling expletives at the Swedish team in defense of himself and both sides argued across the ice.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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Hat trick's special place in hockey In hockey, a hat trick not only refers to scoring three goals or more in a single game, but it's often followed by spectators hurling their beanies, caps and other headwear onto the rink.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Drain, discarding the soaking liquid.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Add pork, discarding the excess sauce.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tossing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tossing. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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