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
• mud
• wash
• muskeg
• fen
• marshland
• morass
• swampland
• moor
• mire
• swale
• quagmire
• sludge
• ooze
• muck
• gook
• 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
• lumber
• galumph
• scuffle
• slog
• pound
• scuff
• plod
• stagger
• flog
• flop
• tromp
• sway
• waddle
• reel
• blunder
• totter
• wabble
• dodder
• careen
• wobble
• teeter

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
• slip
• discard
• peel
• scale
• unload
• ditch
• exfoliate
• molt
• flake
• scrap
• chuck
• throw away
• 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 show made some changes this time around, like adding two new award categories — best pop artist and best country — to spotlight rising talent while also honoring a slew of veteran stars, like Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025

Other highlights from this year’s VMAs are first nominations for a slew of artists, including Rosé, Warren, Lola Young, the Marias, Gigi Perez, and Damiano David. —Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2025

Verb

These pre-soaked exfoliating pads gently slough the top layer of skin to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion, thanks to a 10% dose of a glycolic acid complex. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 4 Aug. 2025

Pure sugar crystals and AHAs sourced from plants work to slough off skin, while natural botanical oils soothe and hydrate. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Phrases Containing slough

• slough (off)
• slough of despond

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