SCRAP Synonyms: 390 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'scrap' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of scrap are cast , discard , junk , 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

Q: When can 'cast' be used instead of 'scrap'?

In some situations, the words cast and scrap are roughly equivalent. However, cast , especially when used with off, away , or out , implies a forceful rejection or repudiation. // cast off her friends

Q: When could 'discard' be used to replace 'scrap'?

While the synonyms discard and scrap are close in meaning, discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless. // discard old clothes

Q: How are the words 'shed' and 'slough' related as synonyms of 'scrap'?

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

scrap 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈskrap

Definition of scrap

as in remainder

an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value only a scrap of silk was left on the sewing table after they had finished the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whole

as in fragment

a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete a scrap of paper fluttered to the floor

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as in speck

a very small piece brushed away a scrap of lint

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in garbage

discarded or useless material the rest of this stuff is just scrap, so sweep it up and throw it away

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scrap

2 of 4

noun (2)

as in dispute

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the state legislature's annual scrap over the budget

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as in fight

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups several drunken revelers were involved in a scrap outside of the nightclub

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truce

scrap

3 of 4

verb (1)

as in to bicker

to express different opinions about something often angrily the young couple often scrapped about money and their very disparate spending habits

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scrap

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to dump

to get rid of as useless or unwanted we've decided to scrap the second car

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abandon

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) we scrapped our plans to go to Paris, and set out the next day for Prague

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word scrap different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of scrap are cast, discard, junk, 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 can cast be used instead of scrap?

In some situations, the words cast and scrap are roughly equivalent. However, cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

When could discard be used to replace scrap?

While the synonyms discard and scrap are close in meaning, 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 are the words shed and slough related as synonyms of scrap?

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 scrap

Noun

These species, along with teal and shovelers, often get categorized by self-important duck hunters as scrap ducks or bonus ducks. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2026 For faster composting, simply cut loofahs into small bits before throwing them in your compost bin and mix the pieces with plenty of nitrogen-rich materials, such as kitchen scraps. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Others brought up the administration’s decision to scrap beef tariffs unpopular with corners of the party. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Trump officials have delayed the most significant drinking water limits and scrapped a Biden-era effort to reduce PFAS in the wastewater of certain chemical manufacturers, restarting the regulatory process themselves. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrap

Noun

The agreement would provide Warner's daughter with the majority remainder of the Warner Family Trust and estate but remains subject to court approval, Pamela Warner's attorneys said.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Former Stars coach Lorne Donaldson also will rejoin the team as interim director of coaching for remainder of the year.

— Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of remainder

Noun

Right now, nearly one million fragments of metal, paint, and shattered rocket parts larger than a single centimeter are tearing through Earth’s orbit at extreme speeds.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Researchers are also still unsure which spacecraft burn up completely and how many fragments may reach the ground, putting lives and property at risk.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of fragment

Verb

While the boys bicker over stickball rules, old-timers Keith Hernandez, Willie Randolph and Tom Seaver argue from a stoop.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Kimmel and Damon then bicker over who has a rightful paternal claim to the child, culminating in a pitch-perfect spoof of Maury featuring Short as Povich.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

By the time Warners dumped it into theaters, however, too many bad feelings had accumulated between the executives and Ferrara for anyone to have much incentive to make the picture a success.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
Auger-Aliassime was moving lethargically, not showing a lot of energy, dumping water on his head during changeovers to cool down.

— Lukas Weese, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of dump

Browse Nearby Words

scrams

scrap

scrapbook

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Scrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrap. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrap

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