as in shedding
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside
a crab molts its shell as it grows larger
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Recent Examples of molting
Now, in his fourth week checking the hawk’s nest on OC Parks’ land managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Gough noticed the color change, indicating the chicks are molting their feathers, doing well, and growing.
—
Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
On the Sonora stage Sunday, the 22-year-old Newark rapper-producer who arrived at the current screaming catharsis via a circuit of molting SoundCloud-era microgenres was at once dangerously commanding and euphoric while tearing through highlights from last year’s Revengeseekerz.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
Why Emperor Penguins Are Declining Emperor penguins depend on stable Antarctic sea ice for breeding, raising chicks and molting for at least nine months of the year.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Chicks that haven't grown in their waterproof feathers are the main victims of the drownings, but the lack of sea ice also affects molting adults, who need ice as a safe place to regrow their swimming feathers, per The Guardian.
—Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Here, Jaffe softens the borders between his dual interests in electronic music and jazz, crafting compositions that are constantly molting and emerging anew.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 20 Dec. 2025
Extreme drought is causing breeding grounds, molting spots and migration stopover sites to vanish.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 7 Aug. 2025
Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
On the Sonora stage Sunday, the 22-year-old Newark rapper-producer who arrived at the current screaming catharsis via a circuit of molting SoundCloud-era microgenres was at once dangerously commanding and euphoric while tearing through highlights from last year’s Revengeseekerz.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
Why Emperor Penguins Are Declining Emperor penguins depend on stable Antarctic sea ice for breeding, raising chicks and molting for at least nine months of the year.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Chicks that haven't grown in their waterproof feathers are the main victims of the drownings, but the lack of sea ice also affects molting adults, who need ice as a safe place to regrow their swimming feathers, per The Guardian.
—Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Here, Jaffe softens the borders between his dual interests in electronic music and jazz, crafting compositions that are constantly molting and emerging anew.
—Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 20 Dec. 2025
Extreme drought is causing breeding grounds, molting spots and migration stopover sites to vanish.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for molting
Verb
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Cats become infected by eating raw meat, birds, mice or contaminated soil, and only cats that are actively shedding parasites in their stool can spread it.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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The new research, shedding light on one of history's most infamous Arctic tragedies, was led by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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If the wood is too rough or has existing stain, paint, or sealer that is peeling, then light sanding may be required.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
29 May 2026
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While the basket’s outer material looks like wicker, it’s actually made of polypropylene resin, known for its durability, low maintenance, and UV- and water-resistant properties that prevent rusting, peeling, and fading.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Molting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/molting. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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