SLOUGHING Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

sloughing 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of slough

as in shuffling

to move heavily or clumsily the unpleasant task of sloughing through the muck to retrieve the ball

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sloughing

2 of 2

verb (2)

variants also sluffing

present participle of slough

as in shedding

to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside the snake is sloughing its old skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 sloughing

Verb

At the same time, glycolic acid—an exfoliating ingredient—helps renew skin by sloughing off dead skin cells and improving texture for a silky-smooth finish. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 2 Aug. 2026 The leader of his country’s Socialist Party, Rama came to power in 2013, as Albania was still sloughing off its insular identity. — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 After sloughing off his final semester the first time around at USC, Lee needed at least three B’s and two A’s. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026 The bright wallpaper that Nataliia and Valerii had hung was sloughing off in layers, green giving way to roses. — Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026 With the same concept as an exfoliating serum for your face—tackling hyperpigmentation, sloughing off patchy texture, controlling acne, and improving overall skin tone—exfoliation has gone full body with everything from sprays to buffing bars and serums. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026 So, on Thursday night’s show Kimmel doubled-down once again, sloughing off the latest attack from the leader of the free world on his late night comedy show. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloughing

Verb

Summary The Chicago Cubs are currently shuffling their infield due to Dansby Swanson's oblique injury, moving Nico Hoerner to shortstop and Pedro Ramírez to second base.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Keeping your eye on Bredeson is as hard as tracking a ball beneath shuffling cups.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffling

Verb

Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist and brand president of the Philip Kingsley Clinics and product ranges, has clients who stay awake long into the night, comparing photos before and after shedding events.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2026
By shedding light on these dark corners, the observatory's mission, NASA said, will then reveal not just how the universe developed over time, but where it's headed.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of shedding

Verb

The teddy bears, the stumbling answers, the whole morning in the Cotillion was a mess.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
Calhoun, who moved to Kansas City from Ames, Iowa, in 2016, started photography during the pandemic after stumbling across a photography video on YouTube.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumbling

Verb

According to Chicago Public Schools, reports of peeling paint and possible mold in limited areas of the building were flagged earlier this month.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
The liner immediately started peeling, and algae formed at the top of the pool, with pieces of lining floating on top.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026