Synonyms of discard

discard 1 of 2

noun

ˈdis-ˌkärd 

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

• reject
• cull
• second
• rejection
• trash
• rubbish
• waste
• scrap
• throwaway
• castaway
• white elephant
• hand-me-down

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

• dump
• ditch
• unload
• lose
• reject
• abandon
• scrap
• jettison
• remove
• toss
• shed
• chuck
• eliminate
• exorcise
• junk
• exorcize
• cast (off)
• dismiss
• throw away
• set aside
• slough (off)
• shuck (off)
• deep-six
• fling (off or away)
• lay by
• dispose of
• sluff (off)
• throw out
• forsake
• cashier
• abolish
• abdicate
• eradicate
• eighty-six
• 86
• pitch
• expunge
• kick out
• desert
• extirpate
• exterminate
• liquidate
• extinguish
• wipe out
• annihilate
• stamp (out)
• root (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adopt
• use
• embrace
• utilize
• employ
• take on
• retain
• keep
• hold
• hold back

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of discard

Noun

When West discards, South knows West had two clubs, three trumps and surely no more than six diamonds (since East followed low-high on the high diamonds). —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

Are the players wondering if owner Jed York is ready to end this era with a series of discards, which already started with the release of stalwart Arik Armstead in March? —Tim Kawakami, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024

Verb

The shelter is now caring for the dogs — four female puppies and three males — and trying to find out how the little canines ended up discarded near the highway. —Kelli Bender, People.com, 13 May 2025

The Mohegan Tribe’s purchase saved the Orlando Miracle when Magic owner Rich DeVos discarded the franchise in 2003, relocating it as the Connecticut Sun to a home in Uncasville less than 30 miles south of the ‘Basketball Capital of the World’ in Storrs. —Emily Adams, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025