discard 1 of 2

noun

ˈdis-ˌkärd How to pronounce discard (audio)
Definition of discardnext
as in reject
something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others toss all of your discards in the garbage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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discard

2 of 2

verb

dis-ˈkärd How to pronounce discard (audio)
as in to dump
to get rid of as useless or unwanted discard an old, torn sweater

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of discard are cast, junk, scrap, shed, and slough. While all these words mean "to get rid of," discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless.

discard old clothes

Where would cast be a reasonable alternative to discard?

The words cast and discard 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

How are the words scrap and junk related as synonyms of discard?

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

How do shed and slough relate to one another, in the sense of discard?

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

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 discard
Noun
Of course, the dumpster discards are in the garages of pickers like Bootow, who stumbled onto a clue about where some of the materials might be headed. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 1 Nov. 2025 The vast majority of those discards wind up in the trash, further exacerbating the avocado’s environmental impact. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Speaking of Congress, the single most effective thing to advance accountability would be for Congress to discard its supine posture and reinvigorate its crucial oversight functions. —Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026 Authority is exercised through existing institutions rather than against them; legality is reinterpreted rather than discarded; emergency powers are normalized rather than declared. —Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discard
  1. reject
  2. dump
  3. cull
  4. ditch
  5. second
  6. unload
  7. rejection
  8. lose
Noun
  • These days, the aviary houses parakeets that are mostly rejects from friends whose kids got bored with them.
    — Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
  • In it, Jackson Lamb (Oldman), River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) and the rest of the MI5 rejects are on the case — and a bit on the defense.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of reject
Verb
  • As most Chicagoans aware of the history of the civil rights movement know all too well, an all-white, all-male jury acquitted the two men of killing the Black teenager from Chicago and dumping his body in the river.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The mobsters turned the van around, pulled off the highway and dumped Gasso in a patch of poison ivy along the Connecticut River in Wethersfield.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of dump
Noun
  • James said if dingoes are ultimately found to be responsible, Piper would not have supported a cull.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The city of Farmington Hills is making plans for a deer management cull program during 2026.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of cull
Verb
  • And though Victoria’s Secret had previously ditched its runway show, Super has re-energized it.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Oh, and Tools for Humanity is also a crypto purveyor that flirted with, and then ditched, the idea of providing a universal basic income.
    — Billy Perrigo, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of ditch
Noun
  • The second is a resolution declaring a food apartheid in the City of Milwaukee – this will mirror a similar declaration by Milwaukee County.
    — Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds and ultimately ended with a brief police presence on the floor.
    — Steve Reed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of second
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Arkansas head coach John Calipari unloaded on the current state of college basketball for allowing players to head back into college.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • No loading and unloading the car, no long morning commutes—just grab your gear and go.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of unload
Noun
  • This proved to be the initial step on a path that eventually led to my rejection of the faith in which I’d been raised.
    — Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • That rejection of redemption is precisely what makes these stories indispensable now.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of rejection
Verb
  • There’s no way to replace all that was lost in less than two weeks, but Smook has been heartened by the support.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • That is the case in this Tuesday night matchup, as the Lakers are on the second night of a back-to-back after losing to the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-110, on Monday night in Los Angeles.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of lose

Browse Nearby Words

disbursing
discard
discarded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discard. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on discard

Nglish: Translation of discard for Spanish Speakers

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