SLOUGH Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'slough' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of slough are cast , discard , junk , scrap , and shed . While all these words mean "to get rid of," shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster. // shed a bad habit // finally sloughed off the depression

Q: When is it sensible to use 'cast' instead of 'slough'?

The words cast and slough can be used in similar contexts, but cast , especially when used with off, away , or out , implies a forceful rejection or repudiation. // cast off her friends

Q: When might 'discard' be a better fit than 'slough'?

The meanings of discard and slough largely overlap; however, discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless. // discard old clothes

Q: How do 'scrap' and 'junk' relate to one another, in the sense of 'slough'?

Both scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form. // scrap all the old ways // would junk our educational system

slough 1 of 3

noun

ˈslü

variants also slew or slue

Definition of slough

as in marsh

spongy land saturated or partially covered with water the land for miles around the lake is strewn with ponds, sloughs, and mudflats

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slough

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to shuffle

to move heavily or clumsily the unpleasant task of sloughing through the muck to retrieve the ball

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slough

3 of 3

verb (2)

ˈsləf

variants also sluff

as in to shed

to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside the snake is sloughing its old skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slough different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of slough are cast, discard, junk, scrap, and shed. While all these words mean "to get rid of," shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster.

shed a bad habit

finally sloughed off the depression

When is it sensible to use cast instead of slough?

The words cast and slough can be used in similar contexts, but cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

When might discard be a better fit than slough?

The meanings of discard and slough largely overlap; however, discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless.

discard old clothes

How do scrap and junk relate to one another, in the sense of slough?

Both scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form.

scrap all the old ways

would junk our educational system

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 slough

Noun

Rancho Cordova’s two-day extravaganza kicks off Friday, with a slew of fair-style activities throughout the evening. — Camila Pedrosa july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 After starring in a slew of movies with each other, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen withdrew from the spotlight to focus on launching The Row, a luxury fashion brand, in 2005. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Verb

After sloughing off his final semester the first time around at USC, Lee needed at least three B’s and two A’s. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026 Their body care kit gets to the root of smooth skin with a trio of products including a pre-sluff bar that rids it of lotions and oils, a washable textured mitt that sloughs off dead cells and a eucalyptus-scented body lotion that loads it with hydration while making your bathroom smell like a spa. — Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for slough

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slough

Noun

Of course, there’s an aesthetic component to the National Park Service’s selection of land, too, as the landscapes range from wetlands and wildlife refuges to marshes.

— Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Businesses impacted by sewer overflow The Great Marsh Shellfish Company is nestled in the marshes along the Rowley River.

— Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Definition of marsh

Verb

As soon as the game wrapped up, those guests shuffled out, and hours later were replaced by a rowdier group ordering shots at the bar, dancing to 2000s hits in front of the DJ booth and smoking vape pens on the outdoor patio.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Pretoria responded to the threat of violence in June 30 protests with millions of dollars shuffled inside the police budget, tactical units deployed, and soldiers on standby.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of shuffle

Verb

Three extraordinary new books, published this year, shed light on the brilliance and complexity of Morrison’s life and work, and place her as an American eminence, a visionary who saw fiction as a means through which to recast her country’s story.

— Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
The bipartisan Colorado Polling Institute released a survey that sheds some more light on Melat Kiros win.

— Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Definition of shed

Noun

Northeast of Watoga State Park and Calvin Price State Park, this wildlife refuge protects dozens of rare plant and animal species that thrive in the high-elevation wetlands (including, yes, fireflies).

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
Rainfall increases water levels in ponds and wetlands, or creates temporary pools that provide ideal—and safer—breeding grounds for eggs and tadpoles to survive.

— Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026

Definition of wetland

Verb

After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026
The hole was discovered in early April when a volunteer on a weekend cemetery clean-up day stumbled upon it.

— Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Definition of stumble

Noun

As whole house fans and swamp coolers can suck additional pollutants inside, the department recommends using air purifiers or air conditioners as alternatives when possible.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Some of the most important pollinator plants in Connecticut include bee balm, buttonbush, columbine, geranium, goldenrod, highbush blueberry, New England aster, New Jersey tea and swamp milkweed.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026

Definition of swamp

Verb

The name Chelydra serpentina evokes colossal reptiles stomping through ancient forests.

— Hannah Smith July 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
If anything, the dichotomy between the pop star who prances around Versailles in a sheer nightie and the pop star who stomps onstage in knee-high combat boots feels completely authentic and intentional.

— Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

Definition of stomp

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“Slough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slough. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of slough

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verb (2)

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More from Merriam-Webster on slough

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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