junk 1 of 2

noun

ˈjəŋk How to pronounce junk (audio)
Definition of junknext
1
as in cheese
that which is of low quality or worth couldn't believe that such junk was chosen to be read for the book club my car is junk—it spends more time in the shop than on the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in garbage
discarded or useless material junk on the side of the road waiting for the trash collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

junk

2 of 2

verb

as in to dump
to get rid of as useless or unwanted we'll have to junk this old car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of junk are cast, discard, scrap, shed, and slough. While all these words mean "to get rid of," scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form.

scrap all the old ways
would junk our educational system

When is it sensible to use cast instead of junk?

The meanings of cast and junk largely overlap; however, cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

Where would discard be a reasonable alternative to junk?

Although the words discard and junk have much in common, 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 shed and slough relate to one another, in the sense of junk?

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 junk
Noun
Now Ergen, a former professional poker player, appears to have upgraded his junk hand. —Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 The online directory connects users looking to hire local service providers for everything from junk removal to cleaning services and home improvement projects, according to its website. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
Republicans and some Democrats wanted to junk the requirement. —Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 1 June 2025 There are worse things that can be done to good government than junking Humphrey’s Executor, and Trump is busily engaged in many of them. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for junk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for junk
  1. cheese
  2. garbage
  3. dump
  4. rubbish
  5. debris
  6. discard
  7. trash
  8. dust
Noun
  • Cheddar Cheese Straws Nothing beats the sharp, savory crunch of cheese straws fresh from Grandma’s oven.
    — Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
  • These bite-size Zucchini Chicken Enchilada Roll-ups are filled with chicken, peppers, cheese, onions and enchilada sauce.
    — Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of cheese
Noun
  • Start With Clean, Reliable Data Garbage in, garbage out.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • By the end, Flacco was removed from the game and rookie Dillon Gabriel led a garbage-time touchdown drive capped by an 8-yard scoring pass to Dylan Sampson.
    — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of garbage
Verb
  • There Naso allegedly choked her to death, placing the body in a trash bag, and dumping it from the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge.
    — Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The act signed under President Richard Nixon prevented businesses from dumping in waterways.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of dump
Noun
  • Unique features Identifying underwater rubbish is no easy task as there’s little image data available to train neural networks.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the police headquarters in Denpasar, Bali’s capital, on Saturday as some burned rubbish on the street and police fired tear gas into the crowd.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • Police and military personnel inspect a property damaged by debris from a Russian drone shot down in eastern Poland earlier this month.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The control panel even displays different lights (blue, pink, and red) to indicate the debris levels on the floor.
    — Lily Gray, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of debris
Verb
  • Remove steak from marinade, discarding the jalapeno slices.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
  • After taking the necessary photos, consumers should discard the fridge according to local and state regulations.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of discard
Noun
  • Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • When the news first spread through the Burning Man rumor mill, the first reaction seemed to be confusion — rumors there are supposed to be about whether Daft Punk is playing at the trash fence or a major art piece burn has been rescheduled, not a grisly death.
    — Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of trash
Noun
  • Dust Bags Your nicest shoes and bags likely came inside of dust bags, which are always good to hold onto for down the line, according to Katia Basley.
    — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The dust bag in the base station has a 3-liter capacity.
    — Loz Blain September 20, New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of dust

Browse Nearby Words

juniors
junk
junked
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Cite this Entry

“Junk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/junk. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on junk

Nglish: Translation of junk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about junk

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