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 Great for chilly planes, breezy boat rides, or tossing on over a dress after sundown. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025 Whether a result of his combative personality, almost bottomless wealth, or fury at being tossed aside, Musk has chosen not to roll over, as so many spurned Trump allies have, and has instead hit back. Philip Elliott, Time, 7 July 2025 For weeks, social media has been flooded with videos of federal agents, their faces often shrouded by masks, violently arresting bystanders who are filming their actions, dragging a taco stand vendor by her arm and tossing smoke bombs into a crowd of angry onlookers. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025 They’re rolled across bathroom floors, stored in public bins at TSA checkpoints, and tossed into airplane cargo holds. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for toss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss
Verb
  • Adding China as an intermediary during negotiations, however, might sway the outcome of current and ongoing diplomatic discussions.
    Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Ninety One’s analysis did nonetheless find a pick-up in sentiment toward U.K. businesses after years of selling pressure from active funds swayed by macro concerns.
    Jenni Reid, CNBC, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • In your experience, do people fidget to purposely get non-conclusive results?
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • The game is played in UK English, so this could throw a little wrench into things for non-Brits.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Authorities believe Bryant is the man captured on surveillance video throwing a Molotov cocktail through the window of the building, according to an arrest affidavit cited by the Denver Post and Colorado Public Radio (CPR).
    Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • When the markets washed out in April, these CEFs were discarded by their vanilla dividend owners.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Off flavor: If the pineapple tastes sour or fizzy, discard it.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • With the stunning reemergence of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic socialists in the New York City mayor’s election, the Democratic Party is lurching even further to the left, leaving them even more alienated and out of touch.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 June 2025
  • The Taxpayers can lurch from old-school punk into pop, ballad and experimental territories.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Having already had to navigate a 180-degree turn around a roundabout at 80km per hour, the road jerked to the left with around 1.6km remaining and, with some riders forced wide, the group was split.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The passenger jerked forward and their belongings were thrown to the floor.
    Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 27 June 2025
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
Verb
  • The bout of storms comes after torrential rainfall Tuesday night dumped nearly 5.5 inches of rain within 90 minutes, prompting reports of flooding in basements and viaducts on the city’s West Side.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • The sand, pre-washed and compacted upon arrival, was dumped into an 18-inch wooden frame, with elements such as hospitality added to help remove debris from the air.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toss. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on toss

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