throw

1 of 2

verb

threw ˈthrü How to pronounce throw (audio) ; thrown ˈthrōn How to pronounce throw (audio) ; throwing

transitive verb

1
a
: to propel through the air by a forward motion of the hand and arm
throw a baseball
b
: to propel through the air in any manner
a rifle that can throw a bullet a mile
c
: pitch sense 6b
threw a no-hitter
2
a
: to cause to fall
threw his opponent
b
: to cause to fall off : unseat
the horse threw its rider
c
: to get the better of : overcome
the problem didn't throw her
3
a
: to fling (oneself) precipitately
threw herself down on the sofa
b
: to drive or impel violently : dash
the ship was thrown on a reef
4
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
b
: to bring to bear : exert
threw all his efforts into the boy's defense
throw their weight behind the proposal
c
: build, construct
threw a pontoon bridge over the river
5
: to give by way of entertainment
throw a party
6
: to indulge in : give way to
threw a temper tantrum
7
: to lose intentionally
throw a game
8
: to form or shape on a potter's wheel
9
: to deliver (a blow) in or as if in boxing
10
a
: to make a cast of (dice or a specified number on dice)
b
: roll sense 1a
throw a bowling ball
11
: to give up : abandon
12
: to send forth : project
the setting sun threw long shadows
also : shed sense 3b
throw some light on the matter
13
: to make (oneself) dependent : commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection
threw himself on the mercy of the court
14
: to perform (something, such as a stunt) successfully
throwing tricks on a skateboard
15
a
: to bring forth
throws a good crop
b
: to give birth to
threw large litters
16
a
: 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
b
: to put (an automobile) in a different gear especially quickly or suddenly
he threw the car into reverse
17
: deposit sense 2b
the wine throws sediment
18
: to twist two or more filaments of into a thread or yarn
thrower noun

throw

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an act of throwing, hurling, or flinging
b(1)
: an act of throwing dice
(2)
: the number thrown with a cast of dice
c
: a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo
2
: the distance a missile may be thrown or light rays may be projected
3
a
: a light coverlet (as for a bed)
b
: a woman's scarf or light wrap
4
: an undertaking involving chance or danger : risk, venture
5
: the amount of vertical displacement produced by a geologic fault
6
a
: the extreme movement given to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, or eccentric : stroke
b
: 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
1
: to put together in a hurried and usually careless manner
a bookshelf hastily thrown together
2
: to bring into casual association
different kinds of people are thrown togetherRichard Sennett
a throw
: for each one : apiece
copies are to be sold at $5 a throwHarvey 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

Examples of throw in a Sentence

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Witnesses said many passengers were thrown around the cabin at the time of the drop. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Disney’s shareholder campaign site also posted two letters from grandkids of Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney, who criticized the activist investor firms and threw their support behind Iger and the current board. Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 Santa Margarita opens with a three-game series against unbeaten St. John Bosco and Servite faces Mater Dei. Jackson Klein of Santa Monica threw his third consecutive shutout of the season after throwing consecutive no-hitters. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 After arriving at her new tribe, a big party was thrown for her. Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2024 Honestly, any excuse to get John Cena naked is appreciated, but throw some jokes in there and the whole family's entertained. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 In addition to throwing her husband a party in Miami, the actress also shared a sweet shoutout to him on Instagram. Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 Through the buoyancy of 2023, perhaps best epitomized by the 24% rally in the S&P 500, the specter of high rates lurked, always threatening to throw cold water on the party. Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 The Warriors’ superstar twisting his ankle, again, throws a Warriors season that was starting to come into focus back into the blender. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
Helix’s Anthony Gash was equally impressive in the throws, winning the shot at 56-1 and the discus at 164-8, superior to his yearly efforts of 53-7 and 155-10. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 Moving Mookie Betts to shortstop from second base less than two weeks before the start of the regular season is an error far worse than even the wildest throw uncorked by Gavin Lux. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 McNabb had Diggs picked off, but the throw to second from first baseman Taylor Howell hit Diggs' helmet and skirted into left field. Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2024 Slotting into and out of gears becomes the name of the game, crisp and precise without losing too much of the long throw of a classic shifter. Michael Van Runkle, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Mahomes’ average throw is down to 6.5 yards, ranking 30th out of 31 QBs; only Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow was lower. Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2024 The modest production against playoff defenses was primarily the result of Tua Tagovailoa being off on some throws and offensive line issues, but the star receivers need to be at their best in big games. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2024 Each of the five bedrooms has a king-size bed covered in a faux-fur throw and pillows, with a single large-format vintage photo commemorating Sheldon’s glory days hanging on the wall. Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2024 Close To Her Heart Personalized Blanket The cozy throw is available in a wide selection of fabrics like a lightweight fleece, a sweatshirt-like fabric, and a weighted option. Andie Kanaras, Peoplemag, 4 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'throw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near throw

Cite this Entry

“Throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

throw

1 of 2 verb
threw ˈthrü How to pronounce throw (audio) ; thrown ˈthrōn How to pronounce throw (audio) ; throwing
1
a
: to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
threw the ball over the fence
b
: pitch entry 3 sense 5b
threw a no-hitter
2
a
: to cause to fall
a horse jumped and threw its rider
b
: to cast (oneself) heavily or forcefully
threw herself on the sofa
c
: to get the better of : overcome
the problem didn't throw her
3
a
: to put suddenly in a certain condition or position
threw her arms around him
threw him into prison
b
: to bring to bear : exert
threw all their efforts into repairing the house
4
: to put on or take off quickly
throw on a coat
5
: to form or shape on a potter's wheel
6
: to move to an open or closed position
throw a switch
7
: to lose (a game or contest) on purpose
8
: to commit oneself for help, support, or protection
threw himself on the mercy of the court
9
: to indulge in
threw a temper tantrum
10
: to give for entertainment
throw a party
thrower noun

throw

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of throwing
2
: a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo
3
: the distance something is or may be thrown
4
: a loose covering (as for a sofa)
5
: a woman's light wrap

More from Merriam-Webster on throw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!