Thesaurus results for DETRITUS

detritus

noun

di-ˈtrī-təs

Definition of detritus

as in debris

the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed the expanse of tree stumps represented the detritus of a vast forest that had been mercilessly clear-cut

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 detritus Despite those efforts, the pool still faced algae blooms and needed to be emptied out periodically to clean out algae, goose droppings and other detritus. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 19 June 2026 Preparations have been underway for nearly a year — out of public view — as the development team Centennial Partners cleared furniture, fixtures and detritus from the 19-story building that ceased to function as a hospital in 2008. — Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 There, Li’s laboratory technician Duncan Hauser stripped microbial detritus from the hornwort’s leaves. — Quanta Magazine, 10 June 2026 At its heart was the Gowanus Canal, an open sewer filled with medical waste, industrial chemicals, shipyard detritus and the occasional dead body. — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for detritus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detritus

Noun

Last week, a group of about 50 residents rallied a block away from the warehouse and demanded the company clean up the debris from the fire and then pack up and leave.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Still others tend the fleet already in orbit, refueling, relocating, and extending the life of satellites, and clearing the debris that crowded orbits leave behind.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of debris

Noun

And, as the country and its people begin to piece together the full toll of the destruction amid the rubble, the notion of playing baseball seems absurd in the wake of such tragedy.

— Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Residential buildings were badly damaged in the assault, leaving people trapped in multi-story apartment blocks and an entire family that was killed pulled from the rubble, while cars were seen burning on city streets.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of rubble

Noun

Sift through the wreckage of the old plan for the pieces worth keeping, and be honest about which pieces are simply gone.

— Tim Albright, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Various air and seaborne assets were employed by Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) to locate the wreckage.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 July 2026

Definition of wreckage

Noun

Hikers pass Incan ruins, wide sweeping valleys and vibrant cloud forest before climbing to the route’s high point at Dead Woman’s Pass.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Trekking company Ian Taylor Trekking calls it one of the best treks in the world on the company blog, noting that the ruins, passes and camp moments often outshine the final destination.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Definition of ruins

Browse Nearby Words

detriments

detritus

de trop

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Detritus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detritus. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of detritus

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on detritus

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fulcrum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes