throw

1 of 2

verb

ˈthrō

threw ˈthrü

; thrown ˈthrōn

; throwing

transitive verb

: to propel through the air by a forward motion of the hand and arm

throw a baseball

: to propel through the air in any manner

a rifle that can throw a bullet a mile

: pitch sense 6b

threw a no-hitter

: to cause to fall

threw his opponent

: to cause to fall off : unseat

the horse threw its rider

: to get the better of : overcome

the problem didn't throw her

: to fling (oneself) precipitately

threw herself down on the sofa

: to drive or impel violently : dash

the ship was thrown on a reef

a(1)

: to put in a particular position or condition

threw her arms around him

thrown into chaos

threw him into prison

(2)

: to put on or off hastily or carelessly

threw on a coat

: to bring to bear : exert

threw all his efforts into the boy's defense

throw their weight behind the proposal

: build, construct

threw a pontoon bridge over the river

: to give by way of entertainment

throw a party

: to indulge in : give way to

threw a temper tantrum

: to lose intentionally

throw a game

: to form or shape on a potter's wheel

: to deliver (a blow) in or as if in boxing

: to make a cast of (dice or a specified number on dice)

: roll sense 1a

throw a bowling ball

: to give up : abandon

: to send forth : project

the setting sun threw long shadows

also : shed sense 3b

throw some light on the matter

: to make (oneself) dependent : commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection

threw himself on the mercy of the court

: to perform (something, such as a stunt) successfully

throwing tricks on a skateboard

: to bring forth

throws a good crop

: to give birth to

threw large litters

: to move (a lever) so as to connect or disconnect parts of a clutch or switch

also : to make or break (a connection) with a lever

: to put (an automobile) in a different gear especially quickly or suddenly

he threw the car into reverse

: deposit sense 2b

the wine throws sediment

: to twist two or more filaments of into a thread or yarn

intransitive verb

: cast, hurl

thrower

ˈthrō-ər

noun

throw

2 of 2

noun

: an act of throwing, hurling, or flinging

b(1)

: an act of throwing dice

(2)

: the number thrown with a cast of dice

: a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo

: the distance a missile may be thrown or light rays may be projected

: a light coverlet (as for a bed)

: a woman's scarf or light wrap

: an undertaking involving chance or danger : risk, venture

: the amount of vertical displacement produced by a geologic fault

: the extreme movement given to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, or eccentric : stroke

: the length of the radius of a crank or the virtual crank radius of an eccentric or cam

Phrases

throw cold water on

: to discourage especially through pessimism or indifference

throw money at

: to spend large sums of money on or for especially recklessly or ineffectively

trying to solve problems by throwing money at them

throw one's weight around or throw one's weight about

: to exercise influence or authority especially to an excessive degree or in an objectionable manner

throw to the wolves

: to leave unprotected against fierce opposition or attack

throw together

: to put together in a hurried and usually careless manner

a bookshelf hastily thrown together

: to bring into casual association

different kinds of people are thrown together

Richard Sennett

a throw

: for each one : apiece

copies are to be sold at $5 a throw

Harvey Breit

Choose the Right Synonym for throw

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force.

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

cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

Example Sentences

Verb She threw the ball to first base. We threw our hats in the air at the end of the ceremony. Let's see how far you can throw. You throw like a wimp. She threw her coat on the bed. Don't throw your trash on the ground. Throw it in the trash can. The wrestler threw his opponent to the mat. The crash threw the driver from the car. She was thrown from the horse. The storm threw the boat against a reef. Noun The quarterback made a perfect throw. He lost all his winnings on his last throw. a discus throw of 200 feet It's a long throw from center field to home plate. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Mayor Todd Gloria helped throw the switch that lit the tree.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2022 Kennedy learned never to throw a violent dream away, to save everything, to draw primarily from herself.

Scott Brown, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2022 Over the years, the festival has become an opportunity for fashion brands to showcase their collections and throw lavish beachfront parties with VIP guests.

Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Dec. 2022 Most are hard-fought, and the players who throw, catch and run with the football are amazing athletes.

Fred Bowen, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2022 Because no matter what life may throw at you, your bed is there for you.

SELF, 29 Nov. 2022 Jacob Conover could come in against an FCS opponent, with the game in hand, and throw the ball.

Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Nov. 2022 Miami has been a mix of run and pass early in the game, rather than throw the ball.

Terry Pluto, cleveland, 13 Nov. 2022 Osling could throw the ball a mile, run it and process defenses quickly, then-Antelope Valley offensive coordinator Jermaine Lewis said.

Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2022

Noun

Burrow opened the drive with a deep throw to Boyd, who did a little pirouette and made the catch while backpedaling for a 27-yard gain with Steelers defensive back Arthur Maulet in tight coverage and punching at the ball.

Michael Niziolek, cleveland, 21 Nov. 2022 Fields, who moved to his right to buy some time, made a fantastic throw.

Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 21 Nov. 2022 After the Steelers’ defense stopped the Saints on downs, New Orleans’ final possession ended when Wallace picked off quarterback Andy Dalton 35 yards down the field on a throw to wide receiver Kevin White.

Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 14 Nov. 2022 Try adding a faux fur skirt to your Christmas tree or a festive faux fur throw to your seating area for an instant cozy feel.

Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2022 With Houston leading 2-0 in the fifth, Bader tried to steal second and Vázquez made a perfect throw to shortstop Jeremy Peña.

Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Oct. 2022 In hopes of giving reliever Alex Vesia an extra moment to warm up, the Dodgers’ dugout signaled for pitcher Yency Almonte to lob a pickoff throw to first base.

Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2022 Turner, in the shotgun, saw Kevens Clercius a step ahead of his defender on the left sideline and delivered a perfect throw.

Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2022 They're cozy under a Christmas throw and ready with their remotes.

Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 11 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'throw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English thrawen, throwen to cause to twist, throw, from Old English thrāwan to cause to twist or turn; akin to Old High German drāen to turn, Latin terere to rub, Greek tribein to rub, tetrainein to bore, pierce

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of throw was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century