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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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

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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
Ahead, see The Brink of War cast side-by-side with their real-life counterparts. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026 Early this year, Bronin appeared before the West Hartford Democratic Town Committee and was a quiet sensation in a town that casts the most votes in a primary. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
On Thursday, the nuisance from the wings was the one being gawked at by a cast young enough to be his kids — a detail Wilson clocked from backstage. — Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026 Widow’s Bay cast shot exclusively for Deadline at Splashlight Studios in New York. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 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
  • The love between Sophie and Liz radiates from their every interaction, even before the bad news hits.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Observations of the Perseids go back more than 2,000 years, with meteors radiating from the constellation of Perseus.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • Mistruths, false claims, scams, and other deceptive efforts are tricking people into thinking that a watermark removal app will do wonders, whereas the reality is that the results are at best half-mixed or aimed to cause damage.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts say the Houthis appear to be mobilizing for an offensive that would aim to take more of the Red Sea coastline.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of aim
Verb
  • That has historically proven more than enough to prepare this team for the regular season.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Many residents’ anger is caused by misinformation about the virus and bans on traditional burials — when families prepare the bodies and people gather for a funeral, which can lead to further infections.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • Logan Webb yielded one run on four hits and a walk over eight innings for the Giants, throwing 100 pitches.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Higher gas prices threw Javier Casillas’ lower-income customers for a loop.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of throw
Noun
  • The group’s predictions are nightmarish and agonizing to even contemplate.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Jason Trost Smarkets founder The first choice, though, would be for Smarkets to run as a prediction markets exchange regulated under the CFTC, Trost said.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of prediction
Noun
  • Rather than sticking to traditional off-white or ivory, the collection also includes muted shades like hay, hazelnut, and olive, giving sheer linen curtains a richer, more unexpected twist.
    — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Though the formula is available in a classic Clean Black, its alternative shade—Le Brun Clean—is worth considering.
    — Micaela English, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • While the departure of running back David Montgomery and the acquisition of Isiah Pacheco deserve a passing glance during preseason, everyone knows this is Jahmyr Gibbs' backfield.
    — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • At first glance, the idea that different phases of matter can exist together seems quite ordinary.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of glance
Noun
  • The beloved comfort shoe has become a styling staple for those who know that the coolest looks are often the ones that feel effortless.
    — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The desire for teens to overhaul their look during high school is a healthy part of adolescent development.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of look

Phrases Containing cast

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cassettes
cast
cast about
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Cite this Entry

“Cast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cast. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cast

Nglish: Translation of cast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cast

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