Synonyms of slough

slough 1 of 3

noun

ˈslü 

variants also slew or slue

as in marsh

spongy land saturated or partially covered with water

the land for miles around the lake is strewn with ponds, sloughs, and mudflats

Synonyms & Similar Words

• marsh
• wetland
• swamp
• bog
• wash
• mud
• muskeg
• fen
• marshland
• morass
• swampland
• moor
• mire
• swale
• quagmire
• muck
• sludge
• ooze
• slime
• guck
• slop
• slush

slough

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to shuffle

to move heavily or clumsily

the unpleasant task of sloughing through the muck to retrieve the ball

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shuffle
• stumble
• stomp
• barge
• clump
• lump
• flounder
• stump
• haul
• lurch
• trudge
• tramp
• shamble
• drag
• weave
• stamp
• galumph
• lumber
• scuffle
• slog
• pound
• scuff
• plod
• stagger
• flog
• tromp
• flop
• sway
• waddle
• reel
• blunder
• totter
• dodder
• careen
• teeter
• wobble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coast
• slide
• breeze
• glide
• float
• whisk
• drift
• hang
• waltz
• hover
• waft
• poise

slough

3 of 3

verb (2)

ˈsləf 

variants also sluff

as in to shed

to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside

the snake is sloughing its old skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shed
• peel
• ditch
• discard
• slip
• exfoliate
• molt
• flake
• scale
• unload
• scrap
• throw away
• chuck
• junk
• jettison
• fling (off or away)
• throw out
• shuck (off)

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of slough are cast, discard, junk, scrap, and shed. While all these words mean "to get rid of," 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

When is it sensible to use cast instead of slough?

The words cast and slough can be used in similar contexts, but cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

When might discard be a better fit than slough?

The meanings of discard and slough largely overlap; however, 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 scrap and junk relate to one another, in the sense of slough?

Both scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form.

scrap all the old ways

would junk our educational system

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of slough

Noun

The mayor’s announcement comes a day after Council Speaker Julie Menin touted a slew of legislative measures focused on various aspects of micromobility devices, including safety. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026

Marc Rowan, the cofounder and CEO of Apollo Global Management, juggled a slew of hospitality and retail gigs before leading the $79 billion investment giant. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Verb

Compared with synthetic fibers, which slough off microplastics that pollute waterways, land and air, natural fibers can be grown or raised in ways that sequester carbon, improve soil health and reduce inputs like pesticides, resulting in a lower environmental footprint, Pingree said. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 June 2026

Their body care kit gets to the root of smooth skin with a trio of products including a pre-sluff bar that rids it of lotions and oils, a washable textured mitt that sloughs off dead cells and a eucalyptus-scented body lotion that loads it with hydration while making your bathroom smell like a spa. — Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026

Phrases Containing slough

• slough (off)
• slough of despond

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