JUNK Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of junk are cast , discard , scrap , shed , and slough . While all these words mean "to get rid of," 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: When is it sensible to use 'cast' instead of 'junk'?

The meanings of cast and junk largely overlap; however, cast , especially when used with off, away , or out , implies a forceful rejection or repudiation. // cast off her friends

Q: Where would 'discard' be a reasonable alternative to 'junk'?

Although the words discard and junk have much in common, 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 'shed' and 'slough' relate to one another, in the sense of 'junk'?

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

junk 1 of 2

noun

ˈjəŋk

Definition of junk next

as in cheese

that which is of low quality or worth couldn't believe that such junk was chosen to be read for the book club my car is junk—it spends more time in the shop than on the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in garbage

discarded or useless material junk on the side of the road waiting for the trash collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

junk

2 of 2

verb

as in to dump

to get rid of as useless or unwanted we'll have to junk this old car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of junk are cast, discard, scrap, shed, and slough. While all these words mean "to get rid of," scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form.

scrap all the old ways

would junk our educational system

When is it sensible to use cast instead of junk?

The meanings of cast and junk largely overlap; however, cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

Where would discard be a reasonable alternative to junk?

Although the words discard and junk have much in common, 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 shed and slough relate to one another, in the sense of junk?

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 junk

Noun

But there’s also less time spent layering up, fewer frozen fingers, and no junk miles commuting from home to your starting point. —

Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 31 Jan. 2025 All told, those properties were issued roughly 50 violations, according to city records, for violations including overgrowth, junk and inoperable cars parked on the properties. —

Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025

Verb

The ratings agency Fitch restored Delta’s investment-grade credit rating this July after cutting it to junk during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. —

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 18 Nov. 2024 Downgrades to junk from two of Boeing’s three major credit graders would leave much of its $52 billion of outstanding long-term debt ineligible for inclusion in investment-grade indexes. —

Caleb Mutua, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for junk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for junk

Noun

Photo by Mario Savoia/Shutterstock Tulips are as Dutch as Gouda cheese and wooden shoes.

— Chris Schalkx, AFAR Media, 14 Feb. 2025
Named after the markets of Brazil, the Market Table is way beyond an average salad bar, featuring a rotating offering of specialty salads, seasonal recipes, cheese and charcuterie, smoked salmon and a black bean stew with sausage.

— Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025