Thesaurus results for SLING

Q: How is the word 'sling' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sling are cast , fling , hurl , pitch , throw , and toss . While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

Q: When is 'cast' a more appropriate choice than 'sling'?

The synonyms cast and sling are sometimes interchangeable, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. // cast it to the winds

Q: When might 'fling' be a better fit than 'sling'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sling , fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

Q: When would 'hurl' be a good substitute for 'sling'?

Although the words hurl and sling have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: Where would 'pitch' be a reasonable alternative to 'sling'?

While the synonyms pitch and sling are close in meaning, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: When can 'throw' be used instead of 'sling'?

The words throw and sling 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

Q: When could 'toss' be used to replace 'sling'?

The meanings of toss and sling largely overlap; however, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

sling 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of sling

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below sling a hammock between the trees

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sling

2 of 2

verb (2)

ˈsliŋ

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm slinging stones at the fence post

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word sling distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sling are cast, fling, hurl, pitch, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When is cast a more appropriate choice than sling?

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

cast it to the winds

When might fling be a better fit than sling?

While in some cases nearly identical to sling, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When would hurl be a good substitute for sling?

Although the words hurl and sling have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

Where would pitch be a reasonable alternative to sling?

While the synonyms pitch and sling are close in meaning, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When can throw be used instead of sling?

The words throw and sling 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

When could toss be used to replace sling?

The meanings of toss and sling largely overlap; however, 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 sling

Verb

On his next turn, Fields rolled right before slinging a pass across his body that was brought in by wide receiver Andrew Armstrong for a score. — Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, David, wore a white T-shirt, khaki pants, and slung a butter yellow sweater around his shoulders. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026 Label project coordinator Frances Farlee recently attended a show slinging artisanal cocktails. — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Agitators in top load washers tend to be rough on clothes and can cause rips in clothes if items get stuck and slung around the process. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sling

Verb

Her drawings hung beside pieces by Henry Darger, Bill Traylor, and James Castle—canonical artists in the genre.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Above the staircase hangs a glimmering bronze-and-glass chandelier, a more conventional way of filling empty space on a superyacht—if conventional is the right word for a chandelier that weighs 350 kilograms.

— Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of hang

Verb

Instead, the chief executive said Hilton's middle- and upper-middle segments have swung from posting negative numbers to growing at rates as high as 6%.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
The Slingshot surges forward as the tach swings toward redline, the exhaust emitting a guttural howl.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of swing

Verb

Anthropic is currently dangling base salaries of $320,000 to $405,000 for staff software engineering roles, for example.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Investigators say Williams proceeded to strangle the woman, holding her up for 20 to 25 seconds until her feet dangled beneath her.

— Anna McAllister, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dangle

Verb

Loaded trucks plodded through the crowd with people in their cargo beds throwing tomatoes at the revelers — who, in turn, hurled them at one another.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
When a massive riot erupted at Soledad on Cinco de Mayo in 1968, Trejo hurled a rock that smashed a prison guard in the head.

— Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurl

Verb

Buckingham’s long-standing engineer, Gary Paczosa, had respect for how Steve reacted to the many ideas Dolly flung at him.

— Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
In its breathless finale, Curry races through the mansion reconstructing every murder, flinging himself through doors and corridors while maintaining the verbal precision of a stage actor performing at double speed.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of fling

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slimy

sling

slinging

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“Sling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sling. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sling

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