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. hʌrl to transport or be transported in a driven vehicle

noun

1. the act or an instance of hurling
2. hʌrl a ride in a driven vehicle

Derived Forms

• ˈhurler, noun

Other Words From

• hurler noun
• outhurl verb (used with object)
• un·hurled 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

He uses his last strength to shakily hurl a pole at the drone.

From Los Angeles Times

In a widely viewed clip, Sinwar is shown seated alone inside a shattered building, one arm maimed and motionless, using his good arm to hurl a stick or pole at the Israeli drone tracking him.

From Los Angeles Times

If I have to hear about one more focus group with undecided voters in Pennsylvania or read another campaign journalist’s tired Pennsylvania diner story, I am going to hurl myself into Lake Michigan.

From Slate

My head is large — I have a difficult time finding hats that fit — and my ears are correspondingly oversized, so large that a dreaded childhood taunt bullies used to hurl at me was “Ears!”

From Salon

“Your job as a bench warmer is to come up with the heckles against the other team. I took pride in writing insults to hurl at other 15-year-olds,” Wood recalled in a recent Zoom interview.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fire
• fling
• heave
• lob
• sling