hurl

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/hɜːrl/
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A forceful throw or act of throwing, with related verb uses for angry speech and an informal sense meaning to vomit.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • The smell made him hurl.
  • With one hurl, she cleared the fence.
  • A protester hurled a bottle at the police line.
  • The spinning ride left me ready to hurl.
  • The quarterback hurls the football downfield.

Similar words

launch
heave
throw
sling
vomit
throw up
pitch
shout
bellow
throw

Meanings

Throw with great force

verb
physical action
neutral
To throw something hard, fast, or violently, often because of anger, effort, or danger.

Usage

Use hurl when the throw is forceful or violent, and use throw or toss for neutral or gentle movement.

Examples

  • She hurled the ball across the field.
  • He hurled a stone into the river.
  • The storm hurled branches against the windows.
  • The quarterback hurls the football downfield.
  • I hurled my backpack onto the couch.
  • A protester hurled a bottle at the police line.

Common mistakes

The verb is used for gentle actions, or the third-person and progressive forms are broken.
IncorrectCorrect
She hurl the ball. She hurls the ball.
He hurling the stone. He is hurling the stone.
I hurled a feather onto the pillow. I tossed a feather onto the pillow.
They hurled the paper gently. They threw the paper gently.

Similar words

throw
fling
heave
pitch
sling
launch
cast

Throw out harsh words

verb
communication
neutral
To direct insults, accusations, abuse, or other harsh words at someone with force and anger.

Usage

Use hurl with words like insults, abuse, accusations, or curses when the speech feels forceful and hostile.

Examples

  • He hurled accusations without evidence.
  • She hurled insults at the rival team.
  • The crowd hurled abuse at the referee.
  • They were hurling curses after the loss.
  • Online trolls often hurl cruel language at strangers.
  • The host hurled a tirade at the guest.

Common mistakes

The object is omitted, or harmless praise is described as if it were verbal abuse.
IncorrectCorrect
She hurled at the manager. She hurled insults at the manager.
He hurling abuse online. He is hurling abuse online.
They hurled compliments at the winner. They gave compliments to the winner.
I hurled the criticism calmly and kindly. I offered the criticism calmly and kindly.

Similar words

shout
yell
bellow
spit
throw
launch
direct

Vomit

verb
health
informal
To vomit, especially suddenly or because of sickness, disgust, or too much alcohol.

Usage

Use hurl for informal speech about vomiting, and use vomit or be sick when a neutral or medical tone is needed.

Examples

  • The smell made him hurl.
  • I thought I was going to hurl on the roller coaster.
  • She felt so seasick that she nearly hurled.
  • He ran to the bathroom and hurled.
  • Too much cheap beer made several people hurl.
  • The spinning ride left me ready to hurl.

Common mistakes

The slang sense is used in formal medical writing, or it is confused with the forceful-throw sense.
IncorrectCorrect
The patient hurled twice after surgery. The patient vomited twice after surgery.
He hurled the bad seafood. He vomited after eating the bad seafood.
The smell made her hurl the room. The smell made her hurl.
I hurled a cold last night. I had a cold last night.

Similar words

vomit
puke
throw up
retch
be sick

Forceful throw

noun
sport
neutral
An act of throwing something with force.

Usage

Use hurl as a noun only when the throw itself is being named, and use throw when a plainer noun sounds more natural.

Examples

  • His final hurl sent the javelin past the marker.
  • The crowd gasped at the powerful hurl.
  • With one hurl, she cleared the fence.
  • The coach praised the distance of his hurl.
  • A wild hurl sent the ball into the stands.
  • The competition measured each hurl carefully.

Common mistakes

The noun is used where the verb is needed, or it is applied to movement that was not a throw.
IncorrectCorrect
She hurl the discus. She hurled the discus.
The cat's hurl knocked over the vase. The cat knocked over the vase.
His hurl were powerful. His hurls were powerful.
The wind made a hurl of leaves. The wind hurled leaves through the street.

Similar words

throw
fling
heave
cast
pitch
launch

Usage

Use hurl for force, whether a violent throw, hostile words, or informal vomiting, and choose gentler words when the action is calm.

Common mistakes

Hurl a feather overstates a gentle action, and hurl as vomiting is informal rather than medical.

Etymology

From Middle English hurlen, "to rush, collide, or throw", probably connected with a Germanic root suggesting rapid motion.

FAQ

What does hurl mean?

Hurl usually means to throw something with great force, often violently or angrily.

Can hurl mean shout insults?

Yes. To hurl insults, abuse, or accusations is to direct harsh words at someone forcefully.

Can hurl mean vomit?

Yes. In informal English, hurl can mean to vomit.

Is hurl stronger than throw?

Yes. Hurl suggests more force, anger, speed, or violence than ordinary throw.

Can hurl be a noun?

Yes. A hurl can be an act of throwing something forcefully, though throw is more common.

What is the past tense of hurl?

The past tense and past participle are hurled.

Where does hurl come from?

Hurl comes from Middle English hurlen, with early senses of rushing, colliding, and throwing.

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