hurl

verb

ˈhər(-ə)l How to pronounce hurl (audio)
hurled; hurling ˈhər-liŋ How to pronounce hurl (audio)
Synonyms of hurlnext

intransitive verb

1
: rush, hurtle
2
: pitch sense 5a
3
: vomit

transitive verb

1
: to send or thrust with great vigor
the forces that were to be hurled against the Turks— N. T. Gilroy
2
: to throw down with violence
3
a
: to throw forcefully : fling
hurled the manuscript into the fire
hurled myself over the fence
b
: pitch sense 2a
4
: to utter with vehemence
hurled insults at the police
hurl noun
hurler
ˈhər-lər How to pronounce hurl (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for hurl

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 hurl in a Sentence

Someone hurled a rock through the window. He hurled a chair at me. It looked like she was going to hurl herself down the stairs. The protesters hurled insults at us.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Since mid-March, the U.S. military has hurled more than $200 million worth of missiles, bombs, and rockets into the remote deserts and mountains of Yemen, in what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dubbed, with sublime ahistorical clumsiness, Operation Rough Rider. — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025 Avery hurls the ball toward the basket, hitting the rim but missing. — Laura A. Bischoff, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025 The inspector hurled Stop Sale lightning for temperature abuse, as in not being properly cooled, at heavy cream, cooked turkey and cooked collard greens Kaluz, 3300 Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Complaint inspection, eight total violations, two High Priority violations. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025 In the opening scene of Season 3, Nicholas Duvernay’s character hurls expletives at a Buddha statue — encapsulating the character’s cultural ignorance while also foreshadowing how the retreat will be anything but peaceful for those seeking peace. — Viren Naidu, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hurl

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hurl was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing hurl

Rhymes for hurl

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Browse Nearby Words

hurkle
hurl
hurlbarrow
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurl. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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