underthrow

verb

un·​der·​throw ˈən-dər-ˌthrō How to pronounce underthrow (audio)
underthrew; underthrowing; underthrows

transitive verb

: to throw (a ball or pass) short of the intended receiver in football
also : to throw a pass short of
underthrow a receiver

Examples of underthrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the fourth quarter, Brandon Graham forced Rush to underthrow a wide-open Lamb, resulting in his third interception. Dallas News, 16 Oct. 2022 Watch teams that try deep shots each weekend and overthrow or underthrow them. Doug Lesmerises, cleveland, 1 Nov. 2020 Lewerke opened the Spartans’ first possession in the third quarter by underthrowing Cody White for what would’ve been a long gain. Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, 16 Nov. 2019 Tyler Huntley aims deeps but underthrows his receiver and throws into double coverage and Brady Brreze intercepts him in the end zone. oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2019 Mayfield threw awkwardly off his wrong foot, underthrowing an open receiver by a lot. BostonGlobe.com, 25 Oct. 2019 Those 50-50 balls, as coaches call them, are sometimes gambles, and better to sail them than to underthrow them for an interception. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 7 Sep. 2019 While Trubisky has been underthrowing balls downfield in recent weeks, this was on the money and beyond Slay. Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, 11 Nov. 2019 Then the other Drew reared his head, badly underthrowing Troy Brown. Steve Kornacki, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underthrow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underthrow was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near underthrow

Cite this Entry

“Underthrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underthrow. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

underthrow

verb
un·​der·​throw -ˌthrō How to pronounce underthrow (audio)
: to throw (a ball or pass) short of the intended receiver in football
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