1. to shed or cast off (a skin, shell, or other outer covering), as a snake sheds its skin or a crab molts
Usage: transitive or intransitive; common in biology and zoology
2. to strip off or discard (something unwanted or burdensome)
Usage: transitive; figurative or formal

Examples

• The snake exuviated its old skin in the spring.
• Crustaceans exuviate their shells as they grow larger.
• The insect exuviated its larval exoskeleton to become a pupa.
• She sought to exuviate her past mistakes and start anew.
• The caterpillar exuviates multiple times before transforming into a butterfly.
• Over time, he exuviated his childhood fears and insecurities.