TOSS Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

toss

verb

ˈtȯs

Definition of toss

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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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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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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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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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 This came after Left-hander Nate Lavender tossed two scoreless innings in relief, continuing his impressive rookie streak. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 Among the claims tossed by the judge are features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, leaving the trial focused on a smaller set of practices like allowing multiple accounts, appearance-altering filters, and tools for managing time spent. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 One of the best elements about a Draft Mode is that players can break the game or toss opponents an unexpected curveball. — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 At an Indiana Fever-Atlanta Dream game earlier this month, WNBA security told a mother and her teenage daughter to cover their pro-women’s-sports shirts or get tossed. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss

Verb

Palm trees swayed over a serene campus where students surfed at Campus Point between (or in lieu of) classes.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Zoe Zeeman swayed back and forth behind her bass, simply dressed in a tee and vintage Lakers shorts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of sway

Verb

Following this concern, 55% of parents said their top concern was their child’s ability to complete multistep tasks such as homework while 45% of parents cited fidgeting.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026
The current boom is driven by Gen Z’s openness about mental health, social-commerce virality on TikTok and Etsy, and a broader nervous-system regulation movement that treats fidgeting as a legitimate coping tool rather than a bad habit.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of fidget

Verb

Maresca, though, does not appear to have much taste for the Premier League’s lurch towards balls into the box.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The United States, which had been lurching toward entry in the Second World War, was suddenly and inescapably thrust into global conflict.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of lurch

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

During that interview with Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling, teammates attempted to join the celebration, with Guerrero and Straw attempting to dump water over Lukes as part of the team’s tradition.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
These men never anticipated being dumped in a New Jersey ditch so far from home.

— Jennifer Janofsky, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of dump

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

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Synonyms of toss

verb

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Phrases Containing toss

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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