as in to shed
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside
a soap that promises to help me exfoliate all that dry, flaky skin I've apparently been carrying around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 exfoliate
Think: erasing dark spots, smoothing fine lines, and gently exfoliating the skin beneath your neck.
Body serums have a plethora of benefits, but can feel like an extra step after showering.
—
Essence, 30 Sep. 2025
When exfoliating, be gentle with your skin and use upward circles to avoid stretching and pulling at your skin.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Sep. 2025
Double-cleanse with Aprilskin cleansing balm, Eminence daily exfoliating cleanser, Thayer’s toner, Glow Recipe blackberry retinol, and Farmacy honey halo moisturizer.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 26 Sep. 2025
The hero behind the groundbreaking collection is Skin Activator Technology that delivers microdosed mandelic acid (AHA) to gently exfoliate and encapsulated centella asiatica (CICA) to soothe, hydrate and go deep into the surface skin layers to activate the senescent cells.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
Essence, 30 Sep. 2025
When exfoliating, be gentle with your skin and use upward circles to avoid stretching and pulling at your skin.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Sep. 2025
Double-cleanse with Aprilskin cleansing balm, Eminence daily exfoliating cleanser, Thayer’s toner, Glow Recipe blackberry retinol, and Farmacy honey halo moisturizer.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 26 Sep. 2025
The hero behind the groundbreaking collection is Skin Activator Technology that delivers microdosed mandelic acid (AHA) to gently exfoliate and encapsulated centella asiatica (CICA) to soothe, hydrate and go deep into the surface skin layers to activate the senescent cells.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliate
shed
Verb
-
Now convinced that Lo was right all along, Richard’s assistant runs to the lodge’s hunting shed to get a rifle.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Archaeologists recently unearthed the remnants of a historic royal palace from a Polish river, shedding light on a violent part of the country's history.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share