15 Other Ways to Say “Throw Up”(With Examples)

Are you tired of only saying “throw up”? Using this one phrase in every situation—from the doctor’s office to a text message—can sound inappropriate or just plain boring. The right word makes all the difference.

That’s why mastering Other Ways to Say Throw Up is essential. This guide provides the perfect range of vocabulary, from medical terms to casual slang, ensuring your language is always accurate, polite, or genuinely funny.

How Do You Say “Throw Up” Differently?

1. Vomit
2. Puke
3. Hurl
4. Barf
5. Regurgitate
6. Upchuck
7. Spew
8. Lose your lunch
9. Blow chunks
10. Toss your cookies
11. Get sick
12. Be ill
13. Retch
14. Heave
15. Expel stomach contents

1. Vomit

This clinical phrase names the act medically, serving as a formal alternative to throwing up. It’s ideal for doctors or reports, with a precise tone that diagnoses. Vomit keeps it scientific, making it professional and neutral. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more technical and adult, perfect for health records.

Example: Suppose a nurse charts symptoms. You could write: “Patient began to vomit.” Picture IV dripping, basin ready at bedside.

Example: Imagine you’re advising a parent. You say: “If they vomit again, call us.” Visualize a thermometer beeping, worried eyes watching.

2. Puke

This blunt phrase captures the sound, acting as a casual substitute for throwing up. It’s great for teens or movies, with a raw tone that grimaces. Puke feels visceral, making it direct and relatable. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more onomatopoeic and informal, ideal for peer talk.

Example: Suppose friends recall a party. You could say: “He started to puke everywhere!” Picture red cups toppled, bathroom door locked.

Example: Imagine you’re texting after food poisoning. You write: “About to puke.” Visualize phone clutched, toilet lid up.

3. Hurl

This forceful phrase suggests propulsion, offering a dynamic alternative to throw up. It’s perfect for sports or drama, with an energetic tone that launches. Hurl conveys power, making it intense and vivid. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more athletic and exaggerated, great for storytelling.

Example: Suppose a sailor battles waves. You could say: “I’m gonna hurl!” Picture deck rocking, horizon spinning wildly.

Example: Imagine you’re writing a comedy script. You write: “She began to hurl mid-speech.” Visualize the microphone dropped, the audience gasping.

4. Barf

This silly phrase mimics the noise, serving as a childish substitute for throwing up. It’s ideal for kids or cartoons, with a goofy tone that lightens. Barf sounds cartoonish, making it harmless and fun. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more playful and nostalgic, perfect for family moments.

Example: Suppose a toddler sees spinach. You could say: “Don’t barf!” Picture a high chair tray pushed, green mush splattered.

Example: Imagine you’re captioning a dog video. You write: “About to barf on shoes.” Visualize tongue lolling, owner panicking.

5. Regurgitate

This technical phrase describes reversal, acting as a scientific alternative to throwing up. It’s great for biology or vets, with a mechanical tone that explains. Regurgitate focuses on process, making it educational and precise. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more anatomical and formal, ideal for experts.

Example: Suppose a vet examines a cat. You could say: “It may regurgitate food.” Picture fur balls rolling, food dish untouched.

Example: Imagine you’re teaching digestion. You write: “Birds regurgitate for chicks.” Visualize beaks opening, nestlings chirping.

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6. Upchuck

This quirky phrase flips the motion, offering a retro substitute for throw up. It’s perfect for 50s diners or grandparents, with a bouncy tone that chuckles. Upchuck feels vintage, making it charming and light. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more directional and whimsical, great for nostalgia.

Example: Suppose a kid eats too much candy. You could say: “Don’t upchuck!” Picture Halloween bucket tipping, wrappers crinkling.

Example: Imagine you’re writing a retro ad. You write: “No upchuck guaranteed.” Visualize soda fizzing, jukebox spinning.

7. Spew

This explosive phrase suggests spraying, serving as a dramatic alternative to throwing up. It’s ideal for horror or exaggeration, with a forceful tone that erupts. Spew paints volume, making it graphic and intense. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more liquid-focused and cinematic, perfect for effect.

Example: Suppose a volcano metaphor fits. You could say: “He began to spew.” Picture trash can aimed, contents flying.

Example: Imagine you’re describing food poisoning. You write: “Started to spew at 2 AM.” Visualize sheets pulled back, clock glowing.

8. Lose your lunch

This idiomatic phrase ties to meals, acting as a humorous substitute for throwing up. It’s great for office banter or dads, with a witty tone that jokes. Lose your lunch adds timing, making it relatable and punny. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more meal-specific and lighthearted, ideal for adults.

Example: Suppose a coworker rides a rollercoaster. You could say: “Don’t lose your lunch!” Picture harness clicking, loops inverting.

Example: Imagine you’re texting post-buffet. You write: “About to lose my lunch.” Visualize a plate stacked high, regret setting in.

9. Blow chunks

This graphic phrase details texture, offering a crude alternative to throw up. It’s perfect for frat humor or warnings, with a bold tone that shocks. Blow chunks is explicit, making it memorable and gross. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more descriptive and edgy, great for shock value.

Example: Suppose buddies dare to eat hot wings. You could say: “Gonna blow chunks!” Picture sauce dripping, napkins piling.

Example: Imagine you’re writing a teen novel. You write: “He started to blow chunks.” Visualize locker room echoing, teammates scattering.

10. Toss your cookies

This sweet phrase contrasts with the act, serving as a cute substitute for throwing up. It’s ideal for kids or irony, with a playful tone that twists. Toss your cookies uses dessert, making it ironic and fun. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more food-metaphored and whimsical, perfect for lightening the mood.

Example: Suppose a child spins too fast. You could say: “Don’t toss your cookies!” Picture merry-go-round blurring, hands clutching.

Example: Imagine you’re joking after milkshakes. You write: “Ready to toss my cookies.” Visualize straws abandoned, stomach churning.

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11. Get sick

This gentle phrase softens the event, acting as a mild alternative to throwing up. It’s great for parents or empathy, with a caring tone that comforts. Getting sick broadens illness, making it vague and kind. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more general and supportive, ideal for sensitivity.

Example: Suppose a teacher notices pale cheeks. You could say: “Do you need to get sick?” Picture hallway pass handed, bathroom door closing.

Example: Imagine you’re consoling a friend. You write: “If you get sick, it’s okay.” Visualize tissue box passed, head resting.

12. Be ill

This formal phrase frames the state, offering a polite substitute for throwing up. It’s perfect for British English or announcements, with a refined tone that distances itself. Be ill sounds proper, making it discreet and elegant. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more condition-focused and understated, great for manners.

Example: Suppose a flight attendant speaks. You could say: “If you are ill, use the bag.” Picture seat pocket rustling, turbulence shaking.

Example: Imagine you’re writing a school note. You write: “Child may be ill.” Visualize backpack zipped, thermometer packed.

13. Retch

This sensory phrase captures the gag, serving as a visceral alternative to throwing up. It’s ideal for medical or writing, with a reflexive tone that contracts. Retch focuses on effort, making it physical and tense. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more preparatory and intense, perfect for buildup.

Example: Suppose a patient smells alcohol. You could say: “Beginning to retch.” Picture swab waved, throat tightening.

Example: Imagine you’re describing seasickness. You write: “Started to retch over rail.” Visualize waves crashing, horizon tilting.

14. Heave

This labored phrase shows struggle, acting as a dramatic substitute for throwing up. It’s great for literature or empathy, with a straining tone that lifts. Heave conveys effort, making it powerful and human. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more muscular and anticipatory, ideal for tension.

Example: Suppose morning sickness hits. You could say: “I’m starting to heave.” Picture bathroom light harsh, sink gripped.

Example: Imagine you’re writing a survival scene. You write: “Began to heave bile.” Visualize campfire dim, stomach empty.

15. Expel stomach contents

This descriptive phrase details mechanics, offering a textbook alternative to throw up. It’s perfect for science or legal writing, with an objective tone that reports. Expelling stomach contents is thorough, making it factual and detached. Compared to the standard phrase, it’s more physiological and formal, great for documentation.

Example: Suppose a lab report states. You could write: “Subject began to expel stomach contents.” Picture clipboard noted, timer running.

Example: Imagine you’re training EMTs. You say: “Watch for expelled stomach contents.” Visualize gloves snapped, airway checked.

Conclusion

Using overly direct terms like “Throw Up” can cause discomfort and lack sensitivity in conversation. It is time to master your language with greater refinement. By applying these Other Ways to Say ‘Throw Up’, you will always choose the most professional and context-appropriate terms. Discover even more euphemisms and precise terminology to enrich your English today at Other Ways to Say!