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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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

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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
Ariana Grande has been cast in ‘MEET THE PARENTS 4’. —Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 For the first time in history, voters in Mexico will cast their ballots for justices, judges and magistrates in an election set to overhaul the nation’s judiciary. —Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Noun
Season 4 saw the addition of other recurring cast members, including Eric Balfour, Julianne Nicholson, Michaela Watkins, Bresha Webb, Robby Hoffman and Jake Shane. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 30 May 2025 This anti-establishment mindset translates to denim with dirty shades of indigo, impure neutrals and green casts, accented with pops of fiery red and pale yellow. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 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
  • The primary suite radiates a somber sort of opulence.
    — Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 June 2025
  • That attitude radiated through each look on the runway, where every model felt like a character in an Autty Simone dreamworld.
    — Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 2 June 2025
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • The majority of its customers are in Britain, but the firm is also aiming to expand overseas.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Phonics could solve California’s reading crisis After decades of debate over how to teach reading amid stubbornly low test scores, a new bill aims to use phonics to solve the state’s literacy crisis.
    — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of aim
Verb
  • Some observers insist Moscow could be prepared to launch more limited assaults on NATO soil as little as six months after the end of the war in Ukraine.
    — Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • The best way to protect against unhealthy messages about masculinity is for parents to be prepared with a counter narrative for their family.
    — Ashleigh N. DeLuca, Parents, 29 May 2025
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • The Justice Department is also throwing its support behind a pending lawsuit alleging similar violations of girls’ rights in the Riverside Unified School District, said U.S. Atty.
    — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • An avid polo player for years, Grimm was injured from his chest down after being thrown from a horse in September 2024.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Definition of throw
Noun
  • Perez made a very specific prediction on Tuesday night.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • His latest bold predictions for Starship came in a video SpaceX posted online last week.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Definition of prediction
Noun
  • Grab your sunscreen, shades, and a slice of avocado toast to get ready for the new bombshells that will take over the villa in Fiji in search of love.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 3 June 2025
  • The triple-barrel tool and its aesthetic pink shade have attracted more than 1.4 billion views on TikTok.
    — Claire Sullivan, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
Definition of shade
Noun
  • The sneaker is the epitome of femininity in sneaker form, even at first glance.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • On warblers and mitochondria At first glance, the standard ways of defining a species seem to work well.
    — Elay Shech, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Definition of glance
Noun
  • IndieWire can exclusively share the first look at the film.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 May 2025
  • Here's a deep dark look at the misery and mystery awaiting you in Wednesday Season 2.
    — Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Definition of look

Phrases Containing cast

Browse Nearby Words

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 10 Jun. 2025.

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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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