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
Globally, about 92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced annually, and in the U.S. alone, the average consumer discards approximately 37 kg of clothing each year. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 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
Cut off and discard the leaves, then remove any brown spots and trim the ends. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026 Banners and signs are not discarded, but transformed into design products through upcycling projects. —Christine Mortag, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 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
  • Today, there are hundreds of rejects packed in wood cabinets and cardboard boxes.
    — Steve Hartman, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • At first glance, the collection seemed to be a paean to rejects.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • Ferm Living stackable metal baskets keep you from dumping clothes in a pile.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2026
  • As college athletic departments desperately look for money to pay mostly football and men’s basketball players, dumping a golf, tennis, track or swimming and diving program is an easy way to help with the budget.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Definition of dump
Noun
  • Last year, Japan even deployed its own military to help cull bear numbers.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 May 2026
  • While professionals are commissioned year-round to carry out the cull, once a year the public is invited in on the act.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 May 2026
Definition of cull
Verb
  • Like any good host, Twain kept us on the edge of our seats with multiple wardrobe changes as the show went on, ditching the bangs for a classic curly look.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
  • At the 2023 Genesis Invitational, Rai ditched his own practice regimen to watch his idol, Tiger Woods, play in the pro-am, not caring what others would think about the choice.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Definition of ditch
Noun
  • Arena ads made up the vast majority of all gambling references in all of the games, appearing once every 11 seconds on average.
    — Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
  • The video began as the combatants were already fighting, and lasted for 33 seconds until some of the juveniles involved fled the store.
    — Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of second
Verb
  • Perry dropped Diaz with a knee in the closing seconds, unloading uppercuts, elbows and hooks as Diaz tried to bounce away from the fence.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • Dahlia, a disillusioned police aide, breaks into the mansion of the corrupt police chief Bernal and steals the money from his safe, unloading the funds to slum dwellers whose settlement Bernal razed down.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Definition of unload
Noun
  • Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin may not have realized it in December, but losing Lane Kiffin to LSU could eventually look less like a rejection and more like a fortunate escape.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
  • Not as punishment or as a rejection of the technology, but as a deliberate change of pace.
    — Illia Smoliienko, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Definition of rejection
Verb
  • But unlike adults, once a baby has lost this capacity, simply listening to music featuring that pattern over the course of a week or two is enough to bring it back.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • Russia, which faces hefty international sanctions, has lost vital markets for its oil and gas exports, most notably in Europe, and has become increasingly reliant on India and China as buyers of its energy exports.
    — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Definition of lose

Browse Nearby Words

disbursing
discard
discarded
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Cite this Entry

“Discard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discard. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on discard

Nglish: Translation of discard for Spanish Speakers

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