CAST Synonyms: 251 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cast' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cast are fling , hurl , pitch , sling , throw , and toss . While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. // cast it to the winds

Q: When might 'fling' be a better fit than 'cast'?

While in some cases nearly identical to cast , fling stresses a violent throwing. // flung the ring back in his face

Q: When can 'hurl' be used instead of 'cast'?

The words hurl and cast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. // hurled himself at the intruder

Q: When would 'pitch' be a good substitute for 'cast'?

The words pitch and cast can be used in similar contexts, but pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. // pitch horseshoes

Q: Where would 'sling' be a reasonable alternative to 'cast'?

Although the words sling and cast have much in common, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. // slung the bag over his shoulder

Q: When is it sensible to use 'throw' instead of 'cast'?

The meanings of throw and cast largely overlap; however, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'toss' take the place of 'cast'?

While the synonyms toss and cast are close in meaning, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. // tossed the coat on the bed

cast 1 of 2

verb

ˈkast

Definition of cast

as in to radiate

to throw or give off spermaceti candles, made from whale oil, are known to cast an exceptionally bright light

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to aim

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal cast her eyes skyward for signs of the rescue plane

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to prepare

to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form carefully cast the letter of complaint as politely as possible

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as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm cast a rock into the stream

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cast

2 of 2

noun

as in prediction

a declaration that something will happen in the future stock market analysts offered an optimistic cast for the coming year

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as in shade

a property that becomes apparent when light falls on an object and by which things that are identical in form can be distinguished the walls had a slight yellowish cast

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

achromatism

as in glance

an instance of looking especially briefly a mischievous cast in his eye when we asked what our destination would be

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as in look

facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling his face took on a somewhat sad cast when we asked how his ill wife was faring

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as in shape

the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance the lovely cast of the baby's features

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cast distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cast are fling, hurl, pitch, sling, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When might fling be a better fit than cast?

While in some cases nearly identical to cast, fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When can hurl be used instead of cast?

The words hurl and cast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

When would pitch be a good substitute for cast?

The words pitch and cast can be used in similar contexts, but pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

Where would sling be a reasonable alternative to cast?

Although the words sling and cast have much in common, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

When is it sensible to use throw instead of cast?

The meanings of throw and cast largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can toss take the place of cast?

While the synonyms toss and cast are close in meaning, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of cast

Verb

Winger ultimately did not join the project, and Kathleen Turner was cast in the role. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 The director also tried to cast participants in the film that were across party lines. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

Fueling a lot of that viewership power are Gen Z and millennial viewers, attracted by a cast loaded with social media influencers, reality TV stars and nostalgic favorites. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 The score by Don Ellis is shrewdly and sparely used, and the movie is uniformly well-acted, by a cast that also includes Roy Scheider, Tony LoBianco, and Harold Gary. — Craig Fisher, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cast

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cast

Verb

The surrounding countryside, by comparison, was littered with large numbers of trees that were toppled as the shock waves produced by the exploding asteroid high above radiated downward.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The film’s focus on the strange and unprecedented power dynamics in an industry that’s hurtling forward at all costs radiated off-screen as well.

— Hayden Field, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of radiate

Verb

The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration—especially during the summer months, when the museum throws its popular experimental music parties called Warm Up.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
As Earth faces an overwhelming alien threat, these young aviators are thrown into relentless combat that tests their loyalty, courage and faith in one another.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of throw

Noun

Commenters on both Babsky and Johnson's makeup artist Georgie Eisdel’s Instagram posts begged the artists to share shade details.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026
At Dior, artist Ama Quashie mismatched red and burgundy on hands and feet using Dior Vernis in a deep oxblood 047 Nuit shade on nails and cherry 853 Rouge Trafalgar on toes.

— Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of shade

Noun

More recently, global financial platform Revolut trialed facial recognition checkout in select coffee shops, allowing customers to pay with just a glance.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
Even if their name kind of looks like a Wi-Fi password upon first glance.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of glance

Noun

Faulk showed photos of some businesses that have replaced the highway fences with their own fences and how those have improved the look along the highway.

— Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Other wild beauty looks were seen at Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe, Kiko Kostadinov, Vaquera and Weinsanto.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of look

Cite this Entry

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“Cast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cast. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cast

verb

noun

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Synonyms of cast

verb

noun

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