SHED Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of shed are cast , discard , junk , scrap , and slough . 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 would 'cast' be a good substitute for 'shed'?

Although the words cast and shed have much in common, cast , especially when used with off, away , or out , implies a forceful rejection or repudiation. // cast off her friends

Q: When is it sensible to use 'discard' instead of 'shed'?

While the synonyms discard and shed are close in meaning, 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 'shed'?

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

shed 1 of 2

verb

ˈshed

Definition of shed next

as in to peel

to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside a snake's skin doesn't grow as the snake does, so every so often the snake will shed its old skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to unload

to get rid of as useless or unwanted you need to shed your old notions of propriety and have some fun for a change

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shed

2 of 2

noun

as in hut

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of shed are cast, discard, junk, scrap, and slough. 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 would cast be a good substitute for shed?

Although the words cast and shed have much in common, cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

When is it sensible to use discard instead of shed?

While the synonyms discard and shed are close in meaning, 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 shed?

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 of shed in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted its worst day in over a month, closing down 0.96%, while the S&P 500 plunged 0.92% and the Nasdaq Composite shed 1.6%. —

Julie Coleman, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024 Miriam Fauzia, The Dallas Morning News DALLAS — As public support for marijuana decriminalization grows, new research is shedding light on the drug’s impact on sleep and memory. —

Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2024

Noun

No longer tied to the vampires or intent to become one himself, Guillermo moves into the garden shed, returns to his job at Panera Bread (something all humans do at some point), and then gets a corporate job. —

Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2024 Viral infections: Some viral infections can cause a toenail to loosen from the nail bed or shed (fall off), usually several weeks after the infection resolves. —

Lindsay Curtis, Health, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shed

Verb

Start shopping the retailer's sale and clearance section now, and keep your eyes peeled for more.

Annie Blackman, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024
Your tongue may initially have a white coating, which peels away to reveal a bright red, bumpy surface.7 The bacteria that causes scarlet fever is highly contagious and most commonly affects children.

Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024