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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
Typically originating on a large canvas, the art often incorporates acrylic paint and graphics pulled from old textbooks and newspapers, emergency manuals, and junk-shop magazines. Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Reduce rodent habitat around your home, workplace, and recreational areas by removing brush, rock piles, junk, cluttered firewood and possible rodent food supplies. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Republicans and some Democrats wanted to junk the requirement. Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 1 June 2025 There are worse things that can be done to good government than junking Humphrey’s Executor, and Trump is busily engaged in many of them. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for junk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for junk
Noun
  • Add ground beef, ground pork, green chiles, cheese, chipotle chiles, adobo sauce, salt, cumin, and 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce; gently mix using a spatula or hands until just combined.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Again, the wine’s sweetness and acidity combined with the saltiness and tanginess of the cheese are a match made in foodie heaven.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Those three garbage-time scores might have bought him another week.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Some Waukesha residents voice concerns The city hasn't kept its $160 garbage and tax collection proposal a secret.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Coach Joanne is dead set on turning things around this season despite having just been brutally dumped by her girlfriend and co-founder of the team.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Ross took over for Joe Maddon, who five years earlier replaced Rick Renteria in a prior example of the Cubs dumping a first-time manager for a more experienced, accomplished hand.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This is absolute rubbish, calculated to pour gasoline on the growing divide between conservatives and progressives.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Locating and identifying seabed rubbish that's prime for removal is undertaken via onboard sonar and a vision camera, plus AI processing, to help the robot recognize trash and determine where best to grab on.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Do not burn debris or other items during an air quality alert.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If your bulbs feel squishy, discard them.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Non-reusable textiles (otherwise known as NRTs) are of particular interest, underscored by ACT UK’s report that the region discards 740,000 metric tons of NRT every year.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The fee, which would fully pay the contractual costs tied to Johns Disposal Service, would exclude condominiums and commercial properties who already pay for private trash removal services and are not covered by the city's collection service.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • An army of around 200 volunteers from the church and several charities were making food, picking up trash, guiding guests and MC'ing dance showcases, said Mary Cantrell, who has been a key organizer since 1993.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That could be caused by a buildup of dust, dirt and lint on the filter.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Even with the business reopening, owner Josh Copus is still running around, covered in dust and paint, either putting finishing touches on his building or helping fellow business owners.
    Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Junk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/junk. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on junk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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