hurl

/hɜːl/ (bre, ipa) · /hɜːrl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhər(-ə)l/ (ame, mw) · /hɝːl/ (ame, ipa)

hurl — verb

  • hurlpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • hurlshe / she / it
  • hurledpast simple
  • hurling-ing form

1. to use a strong arm movement to send an object flying through the air, usually b

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to use a strong arm movement to send an object flying through the air, usually because you feel angry or violent

例句

Karim hurled the ball across the field toward the goal.

hurl + object + preposition phrase for direction

During the protest, someone hurled a bottle at the police line.

hurl + object + at [target] for angry throwing

同義詞
  • fling

    similar force but often more reckless or careless; less hostile than hurl

  • toss

    much gentler, no anger implied

  • pitch

    more controlled, often used in baseball or cricket

反義詞
  • catch

    receiving instead of throwing

  • hold

    keeping rather than releasing

文法句型

hurl + object + preposition + target

用法筆記

Object is often something throwable — a ball, stone, bottle, or weapon. The preposition signals the direction or target: at (hostile), toward/into (neutral direction), across/over (distance).

常見錯誤

❌He hurled the ball to me gently.
✅He tossed the ball to me gently.
💡hurl implies great force, not gentle throwing.
❌She hurled the letter in the mailbox.
✅She dropped the letter in the mailbox.
💡hurl is too forceful for ordinary actions.

2. to shout angry or offensive words at someone, or to direct strong criticism towa

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to shout angry or offensive words at someone, or to direct strong criticism toward someone

例句

The crowd hurled insults at the referee after the unfair decision.

hurl insults at [person]

Léa hurled accusations at her business partner during the meeting.

hurl accusations at [person]

同義詞
  • shout

    general loud speech; does not imply insults specifically

  • fling

    also works with insults/accusations; slightly less forceful

  • level at

    more formal; used for criticism or accusations

反義詞
  • praise

    expressing approval instead of anger

  • compliment

    offering positive rather than negative words

文法句型

hurl + insults/abuse/criticisms + at + person

用法筆記

The object is always verbal — insults, abuse, accusations, criticism. The target is introduced by the preposition at. This sense works for both direct shouting and metaphorical verbal attacks in writing or formal speech.

常見錯誤

❌He hurled a gift at her.
✅He hurled insults at her.
💡the object must be words or criticism, not physical presents.

3. to bring up the contents of your stomach through your mouth because you feel sic

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to bring up the contents of your stomach through your mouth because you feel sick

例句

Saira had too much wine at the party and hurled behind the garden shed.

informal use: hurl = vomit; no object needed

The child hurled his dinner all over the kitchen table after catching a stomach bug.

hurl + contents — transitive informal use

同義詞
  • vomit

    neutral/medical, no register restriction

  • throw up

    also informal, very common in everyday speech

  • be sick

    British English, neutral register

文法句型

hurl (no object) | hurl + object (contents)

用法筆記

Strictly informal. Avoid in medical or formal writing — use vomit, be sick, or throw up instead. Common in casual conversation among friends and in informal fiction. Can be used intransitively (he hurled) or transitively with the stomach contents (he hurled his lunch).

常見錯誤

❌The patient hurled three times during the night.' (medical report)
✅The patient vomited three times during the night.
💡hurl is too informal for clinical contexts.
❌He hurled up his dinner.
✅He hurled his dinner.
💡do not add up; hurl already includes the idea of upward ejection.

hurl — noun