SLOUGHING Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

sloughing 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of slough

as in shuffling

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sloughing

2 of 2

verb (2)

variants also sluffing

present participle of slough

as in shedding

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 sloughing

Verb

Out toward the edge, the star would boil unstably, sloughing off outer layers and explosively ejecting mass. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 It’s also packed with a slew of cleansing agents that are known for effectively sloughing away gunk while being gentle enough not to damage the skin barrier. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026 The leader of his country’s Socialist Party, Rama came to power in 2013, as Albania was still sloughing off its insular identity. — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 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 The bright wallpaper that Nataliia and Valerii had hung was sloughing off in layers, green giving way to roses. — Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026 With the same concept as an exfoliating serum for your face—tackling hyperpigmentation, sloughing off patchy texture, controlling acne, and improving overall skin tone—exfoliation has gone full body with everything from sprays to buffing bars and serums. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026 So, on Thursday night’s show Kimmel doubled-down once again, sloughing off the latest attack from the leader of the free world on his late night comedy show. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloughing

Verb

The Current traded away some assets while shuffling stars like Michelle Cooper, Temwa Chawinga and Lorena in and out of the lineup.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
And for a quarterback whose superpower involves shuffling through collapsing pockets, scrambling through squalor, throwing off any and every platform — such a question was warranted.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of shuffling

Verb

Chris Pratt is shedding light on the reality of raising four kids in Hollywood while keeping his Christian faith present in their lives.

— Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Living room furniture does not stand a chance against a shedding dog, a muddy paw or a cat with strong opinions about upholstery.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shedding

Verb

A little heavy cream rounds it all out—no peeling, roasting, or blender required.

— Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
Surface of bottom shelf of the preparation tables near the fryers and grill are peeling creating a surface that is not smooth nor easily cleanable.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of peeling

Verb

But wrap a play in too much homespun folksiness and the thing starts to feel both suffocating and, despite all the driving tunes and stomping choreography in the world, suffocated.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
The answer isn’t between stomping the gas pedal or leaving the car parked.

— Bob Ackerman, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026