DISCARD Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of discard are cast , junk , scrap , shed , and slough . While all these words mean "to get rid of," 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: Where would 'cast' be a reasonable alternative to 'discard'?

The words cast and discard 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: How are the words 'scrap' and 'junk' related as synonyms of 'discard'?

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

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

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

discard 1 of 2

noun

ˈdis-ˌkärd

Definition of discard

as in reject

something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others toss all of your discards in the garbage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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discard

2 of 2

verb

dis-ˈkärd

as in to dump

to get rid of as useless or unwanted discard an old, torn sweater

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Some common synonyms of discard are cast, junk, scrap, shed, and slough. While all these words mean "to get rid of," discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless.

discard old clothes

Where would cast be a reasonable alternative to discard?

The words cast and discard 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

How are the words scrap and junk related as synonyms of discard?

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

How do shed and slough relate to one another, in the sense of discard?

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

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 discard

Noun

Li has dedicated freezer bags for different dishes, like vegetable scraps for soups or fruit discards for smoothies. — Emily Siner, NPR, 27 June 2026 Tracking discards, reading opponents, weighing probabilities and managing your own hand all happen at once, every turn. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026

Verb

In the deli area, multiple items didn’t have open dates and got discarded. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 According to the report the items were discarded, and the walk-in cooler could not be used until it was serviced and approved by Tarrant County Public Health. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discard

Noun

And both the immune and eliminated designers are high on their own power; Elizabeth, in particular, is acting mighty haughty for a woman whose ruffled scarlet satin dress looks like a reject from the Westworld costume department.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026
The most opinionated of these rejects is Smarty Pants, a basic toilet-training tech tool given an amusingly snarky attitude by Conan O’Brien.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026

Definition of reject

Verb

During that interview with Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling, teammates attempted to join the celebration, with Guerrero and Straw attempting to dump water over Lukes as part of the team’s tradition.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
These men never anticipated being dumped in a New Jersey ditch so far from home.

— Jennifer Janofsky, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of dump

Noun

This decision risks a reduction in the price dairy farmers receive for their cull cows and higher profits for foreign beef exporters, all for a potentially nominal decrease in the retail ground beef price.

— Esme Murphy, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Dunk has survived the cull of the ‘old guard’ — Danny Welbeck, Joel Veltman, James Milner, Solly March and Adam Webster have either moved to other clubs, retired or been released.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of cull

Verb

When the brothers arrived in court two days later, the jewel tones were ditched, and each wore a drab tan prison jumpsuit.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
But several of the House members said the agency and others providing bus service need to make sure that there is enough parking, shade, water and other necessities so that customers are willing to ditch their cars.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ditch

Verb

The new vessel, according to the CSL Group (CSL), the world’s largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships, will greatly boost Adbri’s limestone operations.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Welcomed by Herky the Hornet, the cheer team and the campus community, the students and their families checked in before unloading their belongings and setting up their new rooms.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of unload

Verb

After the launch of the iPhone in 2007 transformed the smartphone industry, BlackBerry fought hard to keep its consumer mobile division alive with new devices — but ultimately lost the battle.

— Arjun Kharpal,Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
How did Bi work for Bryan for any length of time without absolutely losing his mind?

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lose

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disbursing

discard

discarded

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“Discard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discard. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of discard

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