SCRAP Synonyms: 390 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of scrap are cast , discard , junk , 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 can 'cast' be used instead of 'scrap'?

In some situations, the words cast and scrap are roughly equivalent. However, cast , especially when used with off, away , or out , implies a forceful rejection or repudiation. // cast off her friends

Q: When could 'discard' be used to replace 'scrap'?

While the synonyms discard and scrap 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 are the words 'shed' and 'slough' related as synonyms of 'scrap'?

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

scrap 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈskrap

Definition of scrap next

as in remainder

an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value only a scrap of silk was left on the sewing table after they had finished the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whole

as in fragment

a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete a scrap of paper fluttered to the floor

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as in speck

a very small piece brushed away a scrap of lint

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in garbage

discarded or useless material the rest of this stuff is just scrap, so sweep it up and throw it away

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scrap

2 of 4

noun (2)

as in dispute

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the state legislature's annual scrap over the budget

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as in fight

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups several drunken revelers were involved in a scrap outside of the nightclub

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truce

scrap

3 of 4

verb (1)

as in to bicker

to express different opinions about something often angrily the young couple often scrapped about money and their very disparate spending habits

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scrap

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to dump

to get rid of as useless or unwanted we've decided to scrap the second car

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abandon

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) we scrapped our plans to go to Paris, and set out the next day for Prague

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of scrap are cast, discard, junk, 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 can cast be used instead of scrap?

In some situations, the words cast and scrap are roughly equivalent. However, cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

When could discard be used to replace scrap?

While the synonyms discard and scrap 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 are the words shed and slough related as synonyms of scrap?

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 scrap

Noun

The little four-note melodic scraps tumble over each other ceaselessly in a call-and-response that scrambles your sense of which end is transmission and which is reception. —

Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026 Don't leave food scraps sitting around. —

Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

Verb

Following the elections, and under threat from the Department of Justice and states, businesses began scrapping their DEI teams. —

Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 China’s recent decision to scrap tariffs on African imports led to an 18% jump in bilateral trade, a surge that comes as both China and the US vie for influence on the continent, especially in terms of control of Africa’s key mineral resources. —

Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrap

Noun

Perhaps even a rag-tag group of remainders can put a scare into San Antonio.

— Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
The best-case scenario would be for the Lakers’ remainders to extend the best-of-seven series with the Rockets long enough for Doncic and Reaves to rejoin LeBron James in that Big Three, either at the end of this series or the start of the next one.

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

Definition of remainder

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scrams

scrap

scrapbook

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Style

“Scrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrap. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrap

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