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 next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Examples 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

Open savannahs with waving switch grasses and numerous sloughs are ideal habitats for deer. —

Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024 First up is an easy, 2.5-mile birding walk on Nov. 13, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., along the Baylands’ sloughs, San Francisquito Creek and the marshlands, a major migratory flyway for birds. —

Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2024

Verb

The wash is also enriched with Japanese rice powder, which gently sloughs off daily buildup for more radiant skin. —

Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024 These are coming largely from synthetic clothing like yoga pants, which slough off fibers in the wash. —

Matt Simon, WIRED, 4 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for slough