hurls

Hurls is the present tense third-person singular form of the verb hurl. The primary sense is to throw something with force or in a rough, violent manner. The verb can also mean to vomit, used in informal contexts. The word originates from Middle English hurlen, with uncertain ultimate origins.

As a noun, hurl is uncommon in modern usage, though it can denote a throw or the act of throwing in older or literary contexts. In contemporary writing, throw is usually preferred for clarity.

Usage notes: In sports reporting and general prose, hurl describes a rapid, forceful action: for example, “He hurls the ball toward the plate.” It can also function metaphorically, as in “They hurl insults at each other.” The competing sense of vomiting appears in phrases like “to hurl into the toilet.” In formal writing, the verb hurl is often reserved for the literal sense of throwing, while the vomiting sense is kept separate to avoid ambiguity.

Related terms include throw, toss, and pitch. The term hurling refers to a distinct Irish field sport, which uses a different equipment and terminology (the hurley is the stick used in play).

Examples:

- He hurls the discus with great force.

- The crowd hurls abuse at the referee.

- After the ride, she hurls into the sink, feeling sick.