throw 1 of 2

verb

ˈthrō How to pronounce throw (audio)
Definition of thrownext
1
as in to toss
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm threw a life preserver to the drowning man

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to drop
to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally the attacker threw his victim to the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

throw

2 of 2

noun

as in venture
a risky undertaking a desperate throw, that could jump-start his presidential campaign or end it right there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word throw distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of throw are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, sling, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," 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

In what contexts can cast take the place of throw?

The synonyms cast and throw are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

Where would fling be a reasonable alternative to throw?

While the synonyms fling and throw are close in meaning, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When could hurl be used to replace throw?

The meanings of hurl and throw largely overlap; however, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When would pitch be a good substitute for throw?

The words pitch and throw are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When can sling be used instead of throw?

In some situations, the words sling and throw are roughly equivalent. However, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When might toss be a better fit than throw?

Although the words toss and throw have much in common, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

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 throw
Verb
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 Its members have thrown bananas, eggs and lunch meat at officials or pro-Beijing lawmakers as a protest gesture. —Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
Noun
May gave up a run in the first after Kiké Hernández airmailed a throw to the plate with two outs, negating Ohtani’s leadoff blast (his 29th home run of the season, and eighth to lead off a game). —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025 Denver Water’s board authorized the acquisition plans — for 23 properties spanning roughly 18 acres that are a stone’s throw from its complex south of downtown — in April and May. —Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw
  1. toss
  2. drop
  3. venture
  4. hurl
  5. flatten
  6. gamble
  7. fling
  8. chance
Verb
  • Cleaning this quilt is a breeze—just toss it in the washing machine and tumble dry for a refresh.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
  • Up to 75 mph winds ripped down power lines, tossed trees onto roads and railroad tracks and forced businesses to close for the day.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Definition of toss
Verb
  • As the team on the field was losing 5-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks to drop to 47-49, the team in the front office was using its No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on a player that experts at MLB.com listed as the 18th best available prospect.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 14 July 2025
  • Note: The streamer is known to drop episodes before 9 p.m., so keep an eye on the Love Island USA Season 7 page starting at around 8:30 p.m. ET.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of drop
Noun
  • Remington, who counts Gary Dauberman (It), Chris Morgan (the Fast & Furious movies), and Eric Pearson (Thunderbolts*), among others as her clients, is leaving CAA to launch a new venture focused on literary management.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
  • Similar to an incubator, a start-up accelerator is an investment company that looks to grow a new venture in exchange for a stake in the business.
    — Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Definition of venture
Verb
  • Videos posted on social media showed men dressed in clothes bearing far-right symbols and migrants carrying Moroccan flags hurling objects at each other in Saturday night’s violence, which followed several days of lower intensity unrest.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
  • There were vocal protesters hurling insults and sometimes water bottles at federal agents, and there were anxious friends and family of those who work at Glass House, a huge cannabis operation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
Definition of hurl
Verb
  • The internet has fragmented and flattened subcultures.
    — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
  • About a mile south — at a rural corner lot since flattened by Tuesday’s calamitous explosions at a fireworks storage facility — laid the place where their missing sons and grandsons, respectively, were last known to be.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
Definition of flatten
Noun
  • The gamble seemed to have paid off, though, when in the opening minute James, playing in the advanced midfield role, found herself with a great goalscoring opportunity but failed to hit the target, then delivered a promising deep cross which her team-mates could not reach.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • But relying on natural gas to fill the gap over at least the next five years appears to be both a foolhardy and highly expensive gamble.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Definition of gamble
Verb
  • The same process could have flung 2I/Borisov out of its own star system.
    — Kiona N. Smith, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Responsible disposal of smoking materials: Prudently discard cigarette butts and avoid flinging cigarettes or matches from a moving vehicle.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2025
Definition of fling
Noun
  • However, weather conditions may be less ideal, with a partly cloudy sky and a chance of rain or even storms in the afternoon.
    — Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • Early backers have the chance to buy the device for $1,374, which is nearly half its usual $2,727 cost.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 July 2025
Definition of chance

Phrases Containing throw

Browse Nearby Words

through streets
throw
throw away
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on throw

Nglish: Translation of throw for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about throw

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