slough 1 of 3

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

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slough

2 of 3

verb (1)

slough

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

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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

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 slough
Noun
In case this is done, that street that is now laid out through the slough will have to be vacated by the process of law. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 The sad end of the MS Aurora is a familiar story in the Delta’s marshy sloughs. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
Physical rice and sugar exfoliants along with papaya enzymes help to target and slough away dead skin cells, while green coffee oil helps to brighten skin. Kayla Greaves, Essence, 23 June 2025 Furthermore, the runway was lacking grooves to slough off rainwater. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slough
Noun
  • The potential environmental hazards also bleed into other aspects of Everglades life, including a robust tourism industry where hikers walk trails and explore the marshes on airboats, said Floridians for Public Lands founder Jessica Namath, who attended the protest.
    Makiya Seminera, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • At the same time, Louisiana’s marshes are eroding, and its coastline is fraying.
    Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The park protects over 2,000 acres of longleaf pine forest, wetlands, and limestone springs, and its trails offer quiet, shaded walks year-round.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
  • Most of his property was within 150 feet of the pond shoreline, the current wetlands boundary, which meant that extensive alterations would require a time-consuming variance application.
    Andrew Rice, Curbed, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slough. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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