hurl

[hurl]

verb (used with object)

1. to throw or fling with great force or vigor.

   Synonyms: pitch, cast

2. to throw or cast down.

3. to utter with vehemence.

   to hurl insults at the umpire.

verb (used without object)

1. to throw a missile.

2. Baseball.,  to pitch a ball.

noun

1. a forcible or violent throw; fling.

hurl

/ hɜːl /

verb

1. (tr) to throw or propel with great force

2. (tr) to utter with force; yell

   to hurl insults

3. to transport or be transported in a driven vehicle

noun

1. the act or an instance of hurling

2. a ride in a driven vehicle

Other Word Forms

• hurler noun
• outhurl verb (used with object)
• unhurled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurl¹

1175–1225; Middle English hurlen, equivalent to hur- (perhaps akin to hurry ) + -len -le; akin to Low German hurreln to toss, Frisian hurreln to roar (said of the wind), dialectal German hurlen to roll, rumble (said of thunder)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurl¹

C13: probably of imitative origin

Example Sentences

An empowered North Korea hurls harsh words and occasional missiles toward Tokyo.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The parole hearing heard he continued to use racist language in prison, with Norris having been recorded in 2022 using the same racial slur that was hurled at Stephen before he was stabbed.

Read more on BBC

In 2008, an Iraqi journalist hurled a shoe at the then US President George W Bush in protest over America's invasion of Iraq.

Read more on BBC

Martin carried the can, but he didn't sign the players, he didn't hurl huge money, in Scottish terms, at players with, at best, questionable track records.

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An Irvine man was charged with hate crimes against Latino men, after allegedly hurling racial slurs, throwing hot coffee on someone and punching an elderly man.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fire 
• fling 
• heave 
• lob 
• sling