Skip to main content
to throw

to throw

1.0
To send something through the air by a quick movement of the arm
  • verb
  • /θroʊ/
translation icon : lanzar
  • She decided to throw her old shoes in the trash to make space for new ones.
  • throw away
  • throw a ball
  • throw for distance

And you said that Christians would not throw eggs during Easter.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I threw all my colors in the Arno, and I threw all my brushes in the Arno.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Well, can you throw a ball? - Not at all.

  • So I start back to the truck to throw my tools in there.

  • Oh, well, let's just throw this hat on my head.

  • I'm gonna throw it right back at her.

  • We're throwing a party at the pier.

  • This guy just threw these snacks in front of us.

  • Let's just try to throw some different spices in there.

  • Pat crumpled an empty bag of chips and threw it into the garbage pail.

    Academic text (2012)
  • He can easily throw a baseball across the field with great accuracy.

Synonyms

to toss
vsto throw
348 1.0

To throw something lightly to another person

often implies a quicker or more sudden motion rather than lightness
to shoot
vsto throw
299 1.3

To try to score by sending a ball toward the goal

is more general and not limited to sporting target actions
to cast
vsto throw
240 3.7

To throw something with force or cause a change in light, like a shadow

is mainly a physical quick arm action rather than a wider figurative use
to chuck
vsto throw
  • Informal
57 4.2

To throw something away carelessly

is general action and not primarily about getting rid of something
to sling
vsto throw
41 3.9

To throw something with force or without care

often refers to quick or careless arm movement rather than only hurling
to project
vsto throw
31 2.9

To throw something forward through the air

is more casual used for quick arm movement rather than formal projection
to fling
vsto throw
30 3.1

To throw something forcefully or carelessly

can also mean quick movement without such strong recklessness
to lob
vsto throw
22 3.5

To throw or hit something in a high arc

is more general often not requiring a high arcing path
to loft
vsto throw
5 4.8

To hit or throw something high into the air

is used for general quick movement not specifically high or upward
to hurtle
vsto throw
5 7.0

To throw something with great force and speed

is used more generally for sudden or careless motion not always extreme
to let fly
vsto throw
3 5.8

Send something suddenly and forcefully, like a rock or angry words

can mean quick or careless action without strong force
to shy
vsto throw
  • UK
1 9.5

To throw something quickly with a sudden arm movement

is broader and covers quick or careless movement not only sudden arm action
to sling the ball
vsto throw
  • Informal
3.4

To throw the ball quickly and casually

is general for many objects not limited to balls
to elance
vsto throw
9.9

To throw something forward, often a weapon like a spear

is general rapid or careless movement not focused on weapons
to lag
vsto throw
  • Archaic
9.5

To throw a small object like a coin toward a mark in a game

is wider and used for many sudden arm actions beyond games

Antonyms

1.0

To carry or support something with your hands

80 4.9

To play as the catcher on a baseball team

Idioms

27 4.8

To stop trying because you know you cannot succeed

15 6.5

Raise both hands to show you feel frustrated or give up

to throw a fit
  • Informal
12 6.1

To suddenly become very angry or upset in a loud, obvious way

12 8.8

Put someone in prison for life with no hope of release

10 2.3

A short distance away that is a few minutes' walk

9 7.5

To punish someone as harshly as possible under the law

8 8.1

Leave someone in a dangerous or difficult situation without help to protect yourself

Do something without worrying about the risks

To say you will run for a position, for example in an election

To use your power to make others do what you want

To openly challenge someone in front of others

To get rid of something valuable while removing something bad

To keep spending money on something that is already failing

Cause a problem that stops a plan or activity

Put someone in prison and never let them out

to throw stones
  • Informal
2 6.7

Say bad things about others while ignoring your own faults

to throw a curve
  • Informal
1 8.4

To surprise or confuse someone by doing something they did not expect

Cause problems on purpose that stop a plan or process from working smoothly

To behave in a childish sulky way after not getting what you want

1 9.1

To give up something important in a careless or disrespectful way

A humorous way to say you find a woman extremely attractive

Have a childish angry outburst when you do not get your way

To look quickly at something

to throw a snit
  • Informal
8.7

To suddenly become very angry or upset and act childishly

Give something small to get something much bigger later

To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way

to throw brickbats
  • Literature
8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

To make a big decision you cannot change that may be risky

To decide to do something difficult and not stop

To decide to start something difficult and not change your mind

To blame others when you have the same faults

Talk in a relaxed, joking way and make stories bigger to be funny

Try many different ideas to see which one works

To try many different ideas to find one that works

Try many different ideas to find one that works

Phrasal Verbs

477 1.8

To get rid of something you do not want, for example by putting it in the bin

Plan and have a party for people to enjoy

to throw up
  • Informal
296 2.3

To push food and drink out of your stomach through your mouth

236 3.0

To force someone to leave a place, job, or group

202 1.8

To put something in the trash because you do not want it

163 4.2

To stop considering a case, request, or proposal in court

to throw in
  • Informal
97 2.7

Add something extra for free

31 4.8

To make someone's plans or schedule not work as expected

to throw in
  • Informal
29 4.9

Stop trying because you cannot win

to throw around
  • Informal
27 4.5

To say words or names often without thinking

22 3.5

Make something quickly without much care or planning

18 4.4

To show sudden strong anger or upset, often like a child

to throw down
  • Informal
18 7.0

To start a fight or bold competition to show strength

to throw in
  • Informal
14 3.8

Add a short comment during a conversation

12 5.8

Move something quickly backward, like your head or a cup

to throw up
  • Specialized
12 3.7

To make a message or window appear on the screen

to throw in with
  • Informal
6 5.8

To join and support a group or side

5 4.8

To throw someone or something from a boat into water

Spend money on things you do not need

To make someone feel confused or unsure after a sudden change

To support a person or idea by using your influence

2 7.4

Make people less excited about an idea or plan by saying bad things about it

To reject or get rid of something no longer needed

To give false clues so people do not find the truth

Suggest ideas for others to consider

1 5.4

Openly invite someone to compete with you

To give up your hopes for the future

to throw dirt
  • Informal
1 7.2

Say bad things about someone to harm their reputation

1 3.8

To quickly remove something you have or that bothers you

1 9.0

To dance with showy, energetic movements

Kiss your hand and blow the kiss toward someone

Cause someone to feel confused and upset

9.9

To have a sudden angry outburst like a child's tantrum

Compounds

50 2.8

A shot taken from the free-throw line without being blocked after a foul

5 2.1

A small decorative cushion put on sofas or chairs for comfort and color

4 3.2

A small light mat placed on part of a floor to decorate or protect it

1 3.8

A way to put the ball back into play from the sideline after it goes out

1 4.7

A track and field event where an athlete throws a heavy metal ball attached to a wire for distance

1 2.8

A throw that uses the arm, often in sport

2.3

A shot from the foul line taken after a foul that scores one point

Marked rectangle near the basket where players stand during free throws

A shot taken from the foul line after a foul by the other team

A decision that depends mostly on chance

A curved stick that comes back to the thrower when thrown correctly

throw-weight
  • Specialized
9.9

The weight of warheads or other cargo a missile can carry, not counting the rocket

How Hard

to catapult
28 5.1
to hurl
53 3.6
to throw
1.0
to lob
22 3.5
to toss
348 1.0

Surface Forms

throw infinitive
throwing present participle
throws third person singular
threw past
thrown past participle

Etymology

Throw comes from an old word thraw that meant 'twist' or 'turn', so imagine turning your arm quickly to send something through the air. That's why to throw is to send or move something with a sudden arm movement.