Synonyms for Vomit
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: Finding another word for vomit helps you describe the act of expelling stomach contents without always using the blunt term. This guide lists synonyms grouped by tone, including formal alternatives like emesis and informal options like heave, so you can choose the phrase that fits your specific context perfectly.
Closest Synonyms for Vomit
- emesis
- This medical term means the act of vomiting, often used in clinical contexts like a patient experiencing acute emesis.
- throw up
- This common phrase describes the action of regurgitating food, such as when a traveler throws up after eating spoiled shrimp.
- regurgitate
- Used when food moves back up the throat, often describing animals regurgitating pellets or a person regurgitating after illness.
- spew
- This word implies a forceful expulsion of liquid or matter, like a geyther spewing hot water or a person spewing bile.
- purge
- While this means to clean out, it is sometimes used for the violent act of vomiting to relieve nausea or guilt.
- hurl
- This strong verb suggests throwing something with great force, often used to say someone is hurling their lunch.
- belch up
- This specific action describes bringing up gas or food, like when a drunk person belches up beer.
- empty out
- This phrase suggests clearing the stomach completely, such as when a sick child empty out their entire breakfast.
- wretch
- Though usually an insult for a pitiful person, it can colloquially describe the act of a wretch vomiting in public.
- spit out
- This means to eject liquid or solid matter from the mouth, like spitting out a coin or spitting out a mouthful of water.
- eject
- This word implies pushing something out forcefully, such as the body ejecting unwanted contents during severe nausea.
- unburden
- This metaphorical term suggests relieving oneself of a heavy load, often used poetically to describe unburdening oneself by vomiting.
Formal Synonyms for Vomit
- projectile vomiting
- This specific phrase describes vomiting where the contents travel a distance, often noted in acute gastroenteritis cases.
- expulsion of gastric contents
- This precise description is used in formal documentation to avoid the blunt term while maintaining accuracy.
- regurgitation
- This term often refers to the passive return of food without the forceful contraction of the stomach.
- evacuation
- While usually for waste, this word can formally describe the removal of stomach contents during medical procedures.
- discharge
- This neutral term can describe the release of fluids, including the discharge of stomach acid during an upset.
- expel
- This verb describes the act of forcing something out of the body, such as expel food after a toxin ingestion.
- protrude
- This word describes sticking out, and can be used metaphorically to describe the protrude of vomit from the mouth.
- severance
- This word means cutting off, but can be used metaphorically to describe the severance of the connection between the stomach and the esophagus during vomiting.
- ejection
- This formal term describes the forceful removal of matter, such as the ejection of stomach contents during severe nausea.
Informal Synonyms for Vomit
- puke
- This common slang term is used for vomiting, such as when a dog pukes on the carpet after eating grass.
- barf
- This playful word is often used by children or in casual conversation to describe the act of vomiting.
- heave
- This word suggests a heavy lifting motion and can be used to describe the heave of vomiting.
- barf up
- This phrase adds emphasis to the act, like when someone barf up their dinner after a bad meal.
- chuck out
- This phrase suggests throwing something away, and can be used informally to say chuck out your lunch.
- dump
- This word implies getting rid of something quickly, like when a drunk person dumps their drink on the floor.
- wreck
- While usually meaning to destroy, this can be used metaphorically to describe a person who looks wrecked after vomiting.
Stronger and Weaker Words
- emetic
- This is a noun for something that causes vomiting, and is a technical term used in medicine.
- belch
- weaker, for stomach gas expulsion
- recoil
- weaker, for the backward motion of expulsion
- retch
- weaker, for the effort before vomiting
- project
- weaker, for scientific or clinical description
- excrete
- weaker, for biological waste removal
- choke
- weaker
Antonyms for Vomit
- swallow
- ingest
- consume
- eat
- drink
- absorb
- retain
- hold
- keep
- store
How to Pick the Right Synonym
When choosing a synonym for vomit, consider the setting and the audience. Use formal terms like emesis or expulsion in medical or professional contexts to maintain dignity and accuracy. For casual conversations, informal words like puke or barf convey the right tone without sounding overly clinical. Avoid using strong words like hurl or spew unless the situation involves extreme force or mess, as they may seem exaggerated in minor cases. Always ensure the chosen word fits the gravity of the situation to communicate clearly and respectfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most formal word for vomit?
The most formal word for vomit is emesis, which is the standard medical term used in clinical settings to describe the expulsion of stomach contents without the graphic nature of other synonyms.
Can I use emetic as a synonym for vomit?
No, emetic refers to a substance that causes vomiting, such as a pill or poison, rather than the act of vomiting itself, so it is not a direct synonym for the action.
Are there any polite ways to say someone is vomiting?
Yes, you can use phrases like experiencing an upset stomach, feeling nauseous, or undergoing emesis to describe the situation politely, especially in professional or public settings where direct language might be inappropriate.





