as in shedding
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside
a crab molts its shell as it grows larger
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 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
-
Textron is actively shedding its lower-margin Industrial segment to become a pure-play aerospace and defense powerhouse — unlocking a $19 billion backlog in the process.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
-
On Thursday, the Nasdaq clawed back some ground after shedding more than 7% since hitting an all-time high on June 1.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Buffering with a ceramide-rich moisturizer reduces redness and peeling during the first weeks of use.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
-
If preparing vegetables from scratch is an option for you, a few extra minutes spent washing, peeling, and chopping can add flavor, texture, freshness, and value to your cooking.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Molting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/molting. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
