Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb exfoliate

5 senses of exfoliate

Sense 1
exfoliate -- (spread by opening the leaves of)
       => unfold, spread, spread out, open -- (spread out or open from a closed or folded state; "open the map"; "spread your arms")

Sense 2
exfoliate -- (cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters)
       => shed, cast, cast off, shake off, throw, throw off, throw away, drop -- (get rid of; "he shed his image as a pushy boss"; "shed your clothes")

Sense 3
exfoliate -- (remove the surface, in scales or laminae)
       => peel off -- (peel off the outer layer of something)

Sense 4
exfoliate -- (come off in a very thin piece)
       => chip, chip off, come off, break away, break off -- (break off (a piece from a whole); "Her tooth chipped")

Sense 5
exfoliate -- (grow by producing or unfolding leaves; "plants exfoliate")
       => grow -- (increase in size by natural process; "Corn doesn't grow here"; "In these forests, mushrooms grow under the trees"; "her hair doesn't grow much anymore")