hurled; hurling ˈhər-liŋ How to pronounce hurl (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to send or thrust with great vigor
the forces that were to be hurled against the TurksN. 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
4
: to utter with vehemence
hurled insults at the police
hurl noun
hurler noun
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.
Sadly, Murphy believes, scrutiny hurled at the show’s Carolyn is eerily similar in to how the media and public treated Bessette-Kennedy. Marc Malkin, Variety, 19 June 2025 There were also reports of demonstrators hurling objects at police. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025 As hundreds have protested peacefully for days, some have taken the opportunity to burglarize businesses or hurl things at law enforcement while hidden within the crowd. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025 Allegations of domestic abuse were hurled around last April, which Jeezy denied. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 12 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Hurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurl. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hurl

verb
hurled; hurling ˈhər-liŋ How to pronounce hurl (audio)
1
: to throw violently or powerfully
2
3
hurler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hurl

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