SHED Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of shed are cast , discard , junk , scrap , and slough . 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

Q: When would 'cast' be a good substitute for 'shed'?

Although the words cast and shed have much in common, cast , especially when used with off, away , or out , implies a forceful rejection or repudiation. // cast off her friends

Q: When is it sensible to use 'discard' instead of 'shed'?

While the synonyms discard and shed 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 do 'scrap' and 'junk' relate to one another, in the sense of 'shed'?

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

shed 1 of 2

verb

ˈshed

Definition of shed next

as in to peel

to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside a snake's skin doesn't grow as the snake does, so every so often the snake will shed its old skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to unload

to get rid of as useless or unwanted you need to shed your old notions of propriety and have some fun for a change

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shed

2 of 2

noun

as in hut

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of shed are cast, discard, junk, scrap, and slough. 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 would cast be a good substitute for shed?

Although the words cast and shed have much in common, cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

When is it sensible to use discard instead of shed?

While the synonyms discard and shed 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 do scrap and junk relate to one another, in the sense of shed?

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

Examples 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 shed

Verb

But now, the actor best known for roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Groundhog Day, and much more, wants to shed light on something else that’s frustrating her: the lack of smart, leading roles centered on mature women. —

Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2025 In 2011, after keeping a tight personal rein on the National Front, Le Pen was succeeded as party chief by daughter Marine, who campaigned to shed the party's enduring image as antisemitic and rebrand it as a defender of the working class. —

Elizabeth Pineau and Marine Strauss, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025

Noun

This attractive Keter shed will look great in your backyard, garden area, or next to the pool. —

Nora Colomer, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2024 At the edge, low sheds and long piers perpetuated the island’s ancestral role as handler of material stuff: fish, lumber, sugar, grain, steel, ships, pianos. —

Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shed

Verb

Throughout the interior of the villa, guests can expect minimalist design with thoughtful historic touches — keep your eyes peeled for original details like wood floors, exposed beams, and doors.

Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2025
The report also called for repairs of peeling and cracking floor surface coating, which prevents them from being cleaned properly.

Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2025