molts

verb

present tense third-person singular of molt
as in sheds
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside a crab molts its shell as it grows larger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 molts Almost like a gremlin, the same creature that appears small and tiny then molts its skin and then becomes huge. — Adam B. Vary, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for molts
  1. sheds
  2. peels
Verb
  • The fourth episode of this season also sheds new light on Nas’ connection to Jessica Lange‘s Constance Langdon.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The preliminary report sheds new light on how an unstable landing at too high of a speed turned deadly.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sheds
Verb
  • Across the conference table, Sosanya plays Beatrice like steel swaddled in cashmere, while Miles Jupp, as her colleague David, peels away his genteel snobbery to reveal an unexpectedly dorky underbelly.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • As autumn progresses, the husk peels back, revealing the orange berries.
    — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of peels

Browse Nearby Words

molting
molts
mom
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Cite this Entry

“Molts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/molts. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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