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junk

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verb

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
Related article Kennedy’s HHS sent Congress ‘junk science’ to defend vaccine changes, experts say The committee is scheduled to meet June 25 to discuss vaccines for Covid-19, cytomegalovirus, HPV, flu and other diseases. Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 13 June 2025 Skip the junk drawer and move tools, lightbulbs, and hardware to a utility space or toolbox. Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
Verb
The local hockey team made every move this season to win a Stanley Cup, from junking its goalies to shipping out a star to overhauling the entire middle of the ice. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2025 The biggest sleight of hand in the film belongs to production designer Julian Wagner, who scoured the internet to buy as much gear as possible that was used in and around 1972, no small task because such equipment was junked decades ago. Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for junk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for junk
Noun
  • Year-round, Main Street and Brown Street are occupied by specialty shops selling everything from cheese and ice cream to pottery, children’s toys, gourmet kitchen goods, and beach-friendly clothing.
    Bob Curley, AFAR Media, 8 July 2025
  • Beyond the spicy breakfast menu items, the company will also introduce new meal deal options on July 22, introducing the Daily Double, a burger with two beef patties and a slice of American cheese plus shredded lettuce, slivered onions, mayo, and two tomato slices.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Wasps are also scavengers, and they can often be found flying around garbage bins looking for their next meal.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
  • Folsom 4th of July garbage schedule For those living in Folsom, trash and waste pickup will continue as scheduled, according to the city’s website.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated July 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • The development team framed the deal as a way for the city to create more low-income housing, dump the financial burden of the unoccupied property and secure a money-making property at the end of the lease.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • But if the Orioles are willing to dump him off for next to nothing, the Mets could explore the idea.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • North Korea has responded to previous balloon campaigns with fiery rhetoric and other shows of anger, and last year the country launched its own balloons across the border, dumping rubbish on various South Korean sites, including the presidential compound.
    Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
  • They were were found beneath a pile of rubbish heaped just inside her front door, according to a police report released Wednesday.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The night of the fire, firework debris ignited the area of the home’s exterior rear porch, said Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Spanning over three decades, Syed’s work features discarded, everyday materials that are then woven into striking pieces.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The bill also discards the education requirement so the governor could appoint a Secretary of Education with no education experience.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • But despite the state’s best efforts to educate citizens on the importance of removing bird feeders, trash and food from yards, human-bear interactions continue to rise, showcasing a growing concern that bears are becoming less afraid of humans.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
  • Preventing bear encounters The Forest Lake Police Department said bears are attracted to things that seem like food to them, including birdseed, dog food, fruits, grease on grills, trash and fish.
    Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Multiple attachments also come with your purchase (a crevice tool and a pet multi tool), which help to tackle dust in hard-to-reach areas in your home.
    Izzy Baskette, People.com, 5 July 2025
  • Wildfires, blowing dust and ozone are all sources of dangerous air pollution that can trigger breathing difficulties and other health issues.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Junk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/junk. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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