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 going dark, the gallery joins a slew of others that have shuttered in New York and Los Angeles in recent months as the art economy reckons with shifting tastes and buying patterns, steep US tariffs, and global financial, political, and social instability. News Desk, Artforum, 25 Sep. 2025 The delay was caused by a slew of key injuries to the promotion's top female stars. Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
The insects should gradually decline and the black coating begin to slough off. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025 Pink Himalayan sea salt, its key ingredient, gently sloughs away dirt, oil, and product buildup. Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slough
Noun
  • Whatever the name, for centuries people have reported seeing these eerie, faint blue flames hovering over marshes, bogs and other wetlands.
    Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Some of the terrain includes a waterfall, California live oak trees, sycamore trees, volcanic rocks, a freshwater marsh and locals such as Pacific tree frogs, mallard ducks, raccoons and coyotes.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The sanctuary's vast network of trails winds through forests, meadows, and wetlands, as well as up the slopes of Lenox Mountain.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Another $61 million came from Measure AA, a $12-per home tax approved by voters in 2016 in all nine Bay Area counties for wetland restoration and flood control.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slough. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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