toss

verb

ˈtȯs How to pronounce toss (audio)
Definition of tossnext
1
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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2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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4
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 There were few other highlights for the Twins (64-81), who couldn’t muster anything off soft-tossing starter Kyle Hendricks, who went seven innings and allowed just four hits. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025 The bullpen tossed 10 shutout innings in a 1-0 victory that tied an MLB record. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025 Sprinkle with cinnamon, cardamom and salt; toss to combine. —Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025 The dog descends a few stairs and continues barking loudly as the perpetrator tosses the dynamite into the courtyard. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for toss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss
  1. sway
  2. fidget
  3. throw
  4. discard
  5. lurch
  6. jerk
  7. hurl
  8. dump
Verb
  • The outcry wasn’t enough to sway the primary against her.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • To have a chance at winning in November, a Democratic candidate will need to draw independent voters and sway on the fence Republicans, in addition rallying Democrats, Rottinghaus said.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of sway
Verb
  • Applause intermingled with tears as the families of the Camp Mystic campers and counselors looked on, many with small children fidgeting in their Sunday-best attire behind the governor.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Weaver recalled a recent moment with her youngest daughter, Hadley, describing how the 6-year-old began to fidget and lose focus toward the end of a homework assignment.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Definition of fidget
Verb
  • While much of last season was a lost cause due to Tua Tagovailoa being injured, the Dolphins still aren't throwing the ball downfield.
    — Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Or, take after Aniston by throwing them on with flip-flops and a basic T-shirt.
    — Averi Baudler, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of throw
Verb
  • According to a criminal complaint, Briceno, whom authorities said is an undocumented immigrant, used a firearm to shoot inside the doorway of the bar and then discarded the firearm, which law enforcement never recovered.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In mahjong, four players draw and discard tiles with different suits, numbers and Chinese characters.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of discard
Verb
  • As bystanders watched, the luxury yacht lurched to one side, tilting dangerously before taking on water.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In the face of this onslaught, the alcohol industry’s efforts to make drinking popular again have lurched into paranoia.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of lurch
Verb
  • The president starts out by making a visit to Liberty Arena to play basketball with some school children, then gets jerked away when the crisis happens.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
  • If Hall jerked too violently, let alone tried to run, the wire would pull the trigger, firing the shotgun Kiritsis had pointed at the back of Hall’s head.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Born in what is now Zimbabwe, Bland spent hours as a child hurling stones at telegraph poles.
    — James Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Protesters hurled rocks at government vehicles, breaking windows and side-view mirrors, according to prosecutors.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of hurl
Verb
  • The last is dumping iron dust into the Southern Ocean to provoke phytoplankton blooms that would suck heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a move that set off a backlash when an American entrepreneur tried it off Canada in 2012.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025
  • For years, the expanse of dirt and weeds had served as a convenient location for locals to dump trash.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of dump

Phrases Containing toss

Browse Nearby Words

tosh
toss
toss (down or off)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toss. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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