HURL Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of hurl are cast , fling , pitch , sling , throw , and toss . While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: When could 'cast' be used to replace 'hurl'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hurl , 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 'hurl'?

The words fling and hurl are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

Q: When can 'pitch' be used instead of 'hurl'?

The meanings of pitch and hurl largely overlap; however, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sling' instead of 'hurl'?

Although the words sling and hurl have much in common, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

Q: In what contexts can 'throw' take the place of 'hurl'?

While the synonyms throw and hurl are close in meaning, 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: Where would 'toss' be a reasonable alternative to 'hurl'?

The synonyms toss and hurl are sometimes interchangeable, but toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

hurl

verb

ˈhər(-ə)l

Definition of hurl

as in to vomit

to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth that meal was so gross I thought I was going to hurl

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to scurry

to proceed or move quickly a fighter jet hurled through the sky

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm hurled snowballs at each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hurl distinct from other similar verbs?

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

hurled himself at the intruder

When could cast be used to replace hurl?

While in some cases nearly identical to hurl, 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 hurl?

The words fling and hurl are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When can pitch be used instead of hurl?

The meanings of pitch and hurl largely overlap; however, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When is it sensible to use sling instead of hurl?

Although the words sling and hurl have much in common, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

In what contexts can throw take the place of hurl?

While the synonyms throw and hurl are close in meaning, 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

Where would toss be a reasonable alternative to hurl?

The synonyms toss and hurl are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 hurl Outside of the rally, roughly 80 people waved signs and hurled chants opposing the president’s visit and Marshall. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 Protesters have hurled rocks at police, burned government buildings, smashed shop windows and destroyed private property. — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 The video also appeared to show two slingshots, which can be used to hurl stones, being found at one property. — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 The settlers would make a push and hurl rocks, and then the Palestinians would charge back. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurl

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurl

Verb

At some point that night, Ammann vomited black fluid, Frei later testified.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
On the surface, his new album Antione’s Son is the same old same old—airy melodies, drug talk, vomiting ad-libs—but punched up by suburban ennui and in-the-weeds romantic tales that makes the music feel refreshingly personal.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of vomit

Verb

Hundreds of workers will be scurrying around the downtown arena each day, ensuring the marathon run of events unfolds smoothly.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The Off Campus duo, Emma Watson, Hunter Schafer, Chase Infiniti, and Tyriq Withers, who all scurried off together to continue the already-memorable night elsewhere.

— Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of scurry

Verb

Charlotte also turned the ball over on its first possession of the second half when Naz Reid (a game-high seven turnovers, but also a team-high 17 points) threw it away.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Just over a week before Wicker began filming in Hungary, costume designers András Dániel Tóth and Attila Godena-Juhász, who work together as András + Attila, were thrown one big curveball.

— Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of throw

Verb

Before long, the barricades lay tossed aside and the tents within went up in smoke, along with Vucic's power.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Before long, the barricades lay tossed aside and the tents within went up in smoke, along with Vucic’s power.

— Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

Police detained Runa at the care home and took her away before her mother, who had rushed back to the facility upon hearing the news, had a chance to see her, Yoko recalled.

— Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Hawkins, who entered the game leading the nation with 14 rushing TDs, also had scoring runs of 2 and 36 yards.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of rush

Verb

What’s more, even as they are defined by death, bogs are also springboards for unusual and unlikely life-forms that extend our understanding of biology—from acid-flinging mosses to amphibian-eating plants.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
The refs have also flung their hankies for 177 false starts, the biggest tally in nearly 20 years.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fling

Verb

On a tight end screen with 8 minutes and 48 seconds remaining in the third quarter of the Falcons’ 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Daniels hurried downhill and tackled Bears standout Colston Loveland.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Jeff Boschee had no desire to head out of town, to hurry back to Pittsburg, Kansas, after his Pittsburg State Gorillas’ 80-62 Late Night in the Phog exhibition loss to Kansas on Friday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurry

Browse Nearby Words

hurdling

hurl

hurled

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Style

“Hurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurl. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hurl

verb

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