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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Junior quarterback Beckham Jarrard threw the ball to sophomore Todd Easter, who then tossed it to senior running back MJ Kimble who ran it in for the score. — Mcclain Baxley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Cleeland tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Edward Khutsishvili in the third quarter and a 15-yarder to Winston Williams in the fourth. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Clear expired pantry goods and toss kitchen clutter to make room for holiday cooking and baking. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 22 Oct. 2026 Consumers are encouraged to toss any items on the recall list, or return them. — Eva Flowe october 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toss

Verb

The most sensual scene in the movie is actually a dance number at a public gathering where the two characters slowly sway and caress each other, much to the horror and confusion of the other townsfolk.

— Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
This phenomenon has similarly been demonstrated in prediction markets, which have been shown to sway voters almost as much as polls.

— Connor Greene, Time, 23 Oct. 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

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

Treating this salty wastewater is expensive and energy-intensive, so much of it is usually discarded because processing the brine at concentrators costs too much.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Prior to Harmony's launch, the last new room addition to the ISS had occurred in 2001, when Russia's Pirs docking module (since discarded) arrived.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of discard

Verb

The insurrection drew immediate and obvious parallels to the United States, which, during much of the past decade, has lurched alongside Brazil through a strange hall of mirrors.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Hop on the #6 double-decker from Central to Stanley beach, which lurches around Hong Kong Island's mountainous southern South China Sea coast (sit upstairs on the right-hand side).

— Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of lurch

Verb

For over a week, protesters have hurled rocks, flares, firebombs and fireworks at police who have used batons and tear gas in clashes in the city center.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Videos show some masked protesters hurling objects at police as the tear gas drifts across the square.

— Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurl

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“Toss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toss. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of toss

verb

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