SCRAP Synonyms: 390 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'scrap' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of scrap are cast , discard , junk , 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

Q: When can 'cast' be used instead of 'scrap'?

In some situations, the words cast and scrap are roughly equivalent. However, cast , especially when used with off, away , or out , implies a forceful rejection or repudiation. // cast off her friends

Q: When could 'discard' be used to replace 'scrap'?

While the synonyms discard and scrap are close in meaning, discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless. // discard old clothes

Q: How are the words 'shed' and 'slough' related as synonyms of 'scrap'?

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

scrap 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈskrap

Definition of scrap

as in remainder

an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value only a scrap of silk was left on the sewing table after they had finished the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whole

as in fragment

a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete a scrap of paper fluttered to the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in speck

a very small piece brushed away a scrap of lint

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in garbage

discarded or useless material the rest of this stuff is just scrap, so sweep it up and throw it away

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scrap

2 of 4

noun (2)

as in dispute

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the state legislature's annual scrap over the budget

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as in fight

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups several drunken revelers were involved in a scrap outside of the nightclub

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truce

scrap

3 of 4

verb (1)

as in to bicker

to express different opinions about something often angrily the young couple often scrapped about money and their very disparate spending habits

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scrap

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to dump

to get rid of as useless or unwanted we've decided to scrap the second car

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abandon

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) we scrapped our plans to go to Paris, and set out the next day for Prague

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of scrap are cast, discard, junk, 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 can cast be used instead of scrap?

In some situations, the words cast and scrap are roughly equivalent. However, cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

When could discard be used to replace scrap?

While the synonyms discard and scrap are close in meaning, 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 are the words shed and slough related as synonyms of scrap?

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 scrap

Noun

For the preview, Preston is using eX-Ray recycled cotton made from pre-consumer factory offcuts and production scraps, along with deadstock fabric from past collections. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 The storm scraps flights, concerts and sports events The storm forced a change of plans for many people. — Matthew Mulligan, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026

Verb

Other countries have also scrapped cash-for-residency programs, citing concerns including dirty money and housing affordability. — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Grande also withdrew from the upcoming London West End revival of Sunday in the Park With George, which was scrapped after Jonathan Bailey also exited the production. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrap

Noun

The agreement would provide Warner's daughter with the majority remainder of the Warner Family Trust and estate but remains subject to court approval, Pamela Warner's attorneys said.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Former Stars coach Lorne Donaldson also will rejoin the team as interim director of coaching for remainder of the year.

— Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of remainder

Noun

The star is 2,160,000 ppb of low-molecular-weight collagen—in other words, smaller collagen fragments that help draw moisture to skin for a plumper, firmer look.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
This test, as well as others like it, can detect tiny fragments of free-floating DNA in the blood.

— H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fragment

Noun

Every belt buckle looks freshly yanked off the rack; every speck of signage resembles something painted 45 minutes before filming commenced that day.

— Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
The period is 2006, when the golden age of streamable content is barely a speck on the media horizon.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of speck

Noun

If the brain’s plumbing doesn’t work properly, research shows, cellular garbage accumulates, and a cleaner brain may be a healthier one.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
After the ad went viral on social media, Republican candidate for state school superintendent Sonja Shaw called it creepy, weird garbage.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

Several other important artifacts of Mexica origin that have been part of repatriation disputes are also currently housed at the Weltmuseum.

— News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
The dispute emerged as a rare point of overt contention in last week’s bankruptcy hearing, which was dominated by the news that golfer Jon Rahm would be parting ways with the LIV Golf.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

Producer Kang Jeongwon was struck by the film’s central contradiction, that a fight to protect a family can upend its daily life.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Choudri also made headlines earlier this year after the authority put him on leave after police arrested him at his Folsom home following a fight between his daughter and fiancée.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of fight

Verb

The two of them together, just 17 months apart, shared playlists, bickered over where to stop during Apple CarPlay calls, pulled up beside me and faded away with silly faces, encapsulating 20 years of my life in my rearview mirror.

— Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

The account provides helpful context for understanding the public drama of Musk suddenly dumping Shivon Zilis, his most recent partner and the mother of four of his kids.

— Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Alex Freeland dumped beer into his mouth and all over his face.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of dump

Browse Nearby Words

scrams

scrap

scrapbook

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Scrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrap. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrap

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