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

Tracking discards, reading opponents, weighing probabilities and managing your own hand all happen at once, every turn. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026 Le Zotte reports that by the 1970s, more than 10 million garage sales were taking place in the United States every year, and people were paying more than $1 billion (cumulatively) for their neighbors’ discards. — Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

Verb

The cruise line submitted a subsequent report detailing a range of corrective actions, from rewashing coffee urns to discarding the tray of bread where the fly was found. — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Either discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 21 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

The storm dumped more than a foot of rain over parts of the state, with the highest elevations getting more than 40 inches.

— Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
The only other crime series out recently on Netflix are true-crime offerings, where a few of those are dumped out every week.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of dump

Noun

Tech companies, especially large ones, have continued to cull jobs during the AI boom.

— Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
On the company’s Friday call with analysts, Under Armour executives were peppered with questions about the new product cull, the company’s performance in different locales, and its overall marketing strategy.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of cull

Verb

French Gates argued balancing philanthropy, advocacy for reproductive rights, motherhood, writing, and entrepreneurship means ditching perfectionism.

— Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
At the end, the two friends drive off in different directions, with Brian deciding to ditch their high-octane lifestyles to focus on his family.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of ditch

Noun

The suit centered on a seconds-long clip of surveillance video featured in the documentary showing Andrews returning absentee ballots for himself and four family members at a drop box before the 2020 election.

— Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
That was because the player being replaced — match-winner Will Lankshear — took more than 10 seconds to depart while applauding the supporters.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of second

Noun

Social media’s instant rejection of Netflix’s Qwikster spinoff, for instance, forced the company to scuttle that bad idea almost immediately after it was introduced in 2011.

— Josef Adalian, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
After all, the billionaire founder lived a whirlwind of a career, turning down lucrative job offers and weathering professional rejection before ultimately launching one of the world’s biggest biotech companies.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rejection

Verb

The researchers’ models suggest that areas near the escarpment could have lost as much as 8 kilometers of rock, with erosion decreasing farther away from the ancient cliff.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
The court dismissed the case against her manager, who also lost his job.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of discard

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