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to toss

to toss

94 1.4
To move about in a violent or restless way
  • verb
  • /tɔs/
translation icon : agitar
  • We heard you were tossing and turning over whether to push for federal regulations, so we're here to give you some advice.
  • tossing and turning
  • toss around

There are things I will toss and turn at night as a stoic.

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Examples

  • They cost me hours of sleep as I toss and turn at night.

  • The mask needs to fit securely as patients toss, turn, and roll over in bed.

    Academic text (2010)
  • George got tossed around like a sack of potatoes.

  • Some students spent their first nights of boarding tossing and turning, crying, or missing their family.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Her hair was mussed as if she had been tossing and turning for quite a while.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The boat began to toss violently as the storm approached, making the passengers uneasy.

  • She was unable to sleep, as her thoughts kept tossing around in her mind throughout the night.

  • During the rough ride, the truck would toss from side to side on the uneven road.

Synonyms

to tumble
vsto toss
88 2.9

To fall or roll suddenly, often turning over

involves violent restless stirring rather than a simple fall or roll
to flail
vsto toss
38 5.8

To wave arms or legs wildly

is more about restless agitation rather than energetic desperate motion
to lurch
vsto toss
34 5.6

To move suddenly and unsteadily, often forward or to one side

describes ongoing restless agitation rather than a single abrupt unsteady move
to thrash
vsto toss
24 5.8

Move or swing violently without control

is more about restless agitation rather than pure uncontrolled violence
to jolt
vsto toss
15 3.7

To move in a sudden, rough way

is continuous restless agitation rather than a single sudden jerk
to convulse
vsto toss
8 7.8

Shake hard and without control because of illness, a strong feeling, or a hit

describes restless or agitated violent motion rather than medical involuntary shaking
to flail about
vsto toss
1 7.0

To move your arms and body wildly or act in a messy way without success

involves stronger violent stirring rather than mere disorganization
to thrash about
vsto toss
1 6.1

Move the body violently when in pain or fear

focuses more on restless or agitated movement than physical causes
to flurry
vsto toss
1 4.6

To move quickly in a worried or confused way

is more violent and stirring rather than merely hurried agitation
to thresh about
vsto toss
1 7.9

Make quick, wild movements because you are afraid or in pain

is about restless agitation rather than just distress driven movement
to thresh
vsto toss
1 8.9

Move violently without control, often by kicking when hurt

adds a sense of restless agitation rather than only uncontrolled force
to jactitate
vsto toss
  • Archaic
9.9

To move or shake your body suddenly and violently

is the more common neutral term used in everyday language
to welter
vsto toss
8.9

To move or be tossed about in rough water

focuses more on restless agitation rather than chaotic rolling turbulence

Antonyms

962 1.0

Make a person or animal less upset

Idioms

Put someone in prison and never let them leave

To throw a one-pound coin into water for luck

Phrasal Verbs

39 2.7

To throw away things you do not want

to toss in
  • Informal
7 4.4

To add a short comment during a conversation

5 2.0

To throw something away because you no longer want or need it

to toss together
  • Informal
2 3.4

Mix a few ingredients quickly without much preparation

1 4.9

Move your head or hair quickly back

to toss in with
  • Informal
7.4

Join a group or cause and support it

to toss off
  • Informal
8.4

To drink a whole glass quickly, often of alcohol

to toss off
  • Informal
8.1

To make something quickly with little effort

Compounds

toss-up
  • Informal
20 6.2

A situation where two results have the same chance

17 2.4

A way to decide something by flipping a coin and seeing which side lands up

A way to decide between two options by flipping a coin

2.7

A shot from the foul line that a player takes after a foul without anyone trying to stop it

pitch and toss
  • Archaic
9.7

A game where players throw coins at a mark and the closest wins

toss bombing
  • Specialized
9.9

A way of dropping a bomb by flying low, pulling up, and releasing it so it flies farther

How Violent

to toss
94 1.4
to pitch
53 5.1
to bob
24 2.7
to rock
230 1.0
to sway
77 2.4

Surface Forms

toss infinitive
tossed past
tossed past participle
tossing present participle
tosses third person singular

Etymology

Toss meaning to move about violently comes from the image of being thrown around by force. That's why boats can be tossed by waves and people can toss and turn when they are restless.