as in shuffling
to move heavily or clumsily
the unpleasant task of sloughing through the muck to retrieve the ball
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also sluffing
as in shedding
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside
the snake is sloughing its old skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloughing
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The bright wallpaper that Nataliia and Valerii had hung was sloughing off in layers, green giving way to roses.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Gentle exfoliation is key to sloughing off winter buildup and revealing fresh, radiant skin.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
With the same concept as an exfoliating serum for your face—tackling hyperpigmentation, sloughing off patchy texture, controlling acne, and improving overall skin tone—exfoliation has gone full body with everything from sprays to buffing bars and serums.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
So, on Thursday night’s show Kimmel doubled-down once again, sloughing off the latest attack from the leader of the free world on his late night comedy show.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025
Verb
After sloughing off his final semester the first time around at USC, Lee needed at least three B’s and two A’s.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The bright wallpaper that Nataliia and Valerii had hung was sloughing off in layers, green giving way to roses.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Gentle exfoliation is key to sloughing off winter buildup and revealing fresh, radiant skin.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
With the same concept as an exfoliating serum for your face—tackling hyperpigmentation, sloughing off patchy texture, controlling acne, and improving overall skin tone—exfoliation has gone full body with everything from sprays to buffing bars and serums.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
So, on Thursday night’s show Kimmel doubled-down once again, sloughing off the latest attack from the leader of the free world on his late night comedy show.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloughing
Verb
-
This meant slowly shuffling into the wilderness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
At 2-0 down, and with Nuno Espirito Santo shuffling to a back-four, there was a flicker of a pulse and two decent saves from Nick Pope.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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As the two bond in short order, our previously flailing hero shapes up very quickly indeed, soon shedding his substance abuse problems and entering a healthy relationship with dreamy social worker Oscar (Diego Calva).—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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The grooming vacuum helps manage shedding by collecting loose hair directly from the pet.—
Trisha Easto,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
In a video shared on Facebook by comedian Mike Goldstein, the man can be seen stumbling out of the bathroom while still fastening his belt.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
Arriving at Badlands National Park feels like stumbling upon Mars.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Allow to cool before peeling and cutting into 5mm-thick slices.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
16 May 2026
-
Sepsis had left his skin peeling and his body blackened, including parts of his fingers, ears, lips and lower legs.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Vandenbroucke verifies that the worst way to respond is cranking up your own television or music, stomping your feet, or pounding on the walls or ceiling.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
-
We’re treated to a surreal sequence wherein Cassie transforms into the 50-Foot Woman, stomping all over Downtown Los Angeles like a monster movie, which all seems like a pretext for a scene where Sweeney’s giant boobs burst through the windows of a building.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sloughing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloughing. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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