cast 1 of 2

verb

ˈkast How to pronounce cast (audio)
Definition of castnext
1
as in to radiate
to throw or give off spermaceti candles, made from whale oil, are known to cast an exceptionally bright light

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal cast her eyes skyward for signs of the rescue plane

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm cast a rock into the stream

Synonyms & Similar Words

cast

2 of 2

noun

1
as in prediction
a declaration that something will happen in the future stock market analysts offered an optimistic cast for the coming year

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in glance
an instance of looking especially briefly a mischievous cast in his eye when we asked what our destination would be

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance the lovely cast of the baby's features

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
With script in hand, Lance Guillermo cast his dancers. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Aug. 2025 Some of the cast members who didn’t last long on the show seem to be all laughs, as bombshell Charlie jokes about seeing all the people who voted him out. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
The council features an All-Star cast of sports celebrities, including Wayne Gretzky, Bryson DeChambeau and Mariano Rivera, as well as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. —Steve Buckley, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025 The season one cast also includes Mary-Louise Parker, Joe Freeman, Simone Miller, Fionn Laird, Jason Diaz, Jane Luk, Julian Richings and Robert Joy. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cast
  1. radiate
  2. aim
  3. prepare
  4. throw
  5. prediction
  6. shade
  7. glance
  8. look
Verb
  • On the outside, Jin Yul radiates a chic and reserved energy.
    — Sara Smith, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Lady Gaga radiates rock star energy in black sunglasses and a red lip while out at dinner in New York City on Aug. 21.
    — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • Like other federal agencies, its spending has been on the chopping block as Trump aims to drastically scale back the size of the federal government.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
  • But then suddenly, out of nowhere, came a fusillade of bullets aimed at our heads and the upper parts of our bodies.
    — Ahmed Dader August 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of aim
Verb
  • State officials advised residents to prepare for the possibility of dangerous conditions along beaches and coastal communities.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The inside reef flashed its teeth as the wave sucked up and prepared to break.
    — Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • The Trumbull players expressed pride in the way Fairfield has played, its pitchers throwing strikes, its hitters being selective and swinging for hard contact, rather than long fly balls, and playing nearly flawless defense.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
  • None of the 21 relievers who’ve thrown more than 57 innings are in Houston’s bullpen, either.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of throw
Noun
  • Among the 18 weather regions for which the Old Farmer's Almanac offers predictions, normal to mild temperatures are expected this winter — with the exception of the Appalachians, Southeast, Florida and Ohio Valley, where below-normal temperatures are predicted.
    — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Illingworth found the neurologist's prediction was true.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Definition of prediction
Noun
  • The exterior may be a rich terra-cotta shade, but the interiors are all bright and airy.
    — Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025
  • This supersoft sleeveless piece molds like clay on to your body and comes in a variety of sizes and shades.
    — Dory Zayas, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025
Definition of shade
Noun
  • The Hidden Costs To Teams At first glance, upward performers can look like high achievers.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • At first glance, many assumed the video showed a traditional birthday celebration, given the size of the cake, which looked big enough for a party.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of glance
Noun
  • The series offered a look at the day-to-day life of a municipal court, and Caprio, 88, charmed viewers over its two-decade run on local and national television by applying the law with empathy and humor.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • This Alessi kettle brings a modernized look to a classic steel kettle with its dramatic shape and colorful handle that ensures you won’t get burned trying to make your morning chamomile.
    — Elissa Suh, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of look

Phrases Containing cast

Browse Nearby Words

cassettes
cast
cast about
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cast. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on cast

Nglish: Translation of cast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cast

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

Is it 'autumn' or 'fall'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves

Plant Names That Sound Like Insults

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-looking-through-binoculars
Spot Even More Misspelled Words Quiz For people who hate even the ocasional spelling ...
See All