residual 1 of 2

noun

Definition of residualnext
1
as in residue
a remaining group or portion They tested for chemical residuals in the water.

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in reminder
a lingering indication of something from the past Some modern traditions are residuals of ancient beliefs and rituals.

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residual

2 of 2

adjective

as in lingering
still existing or happening after something is completed or removed The oven was still warm with residual heat. The area is still dealing with the residual effects of the flood.

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Dissimilar Words

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 residual
Noun
Customers may experience residuals with Gold and Red line services. — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 26 June 2026 The residuals started coming for me immediately. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 June 2026
Adjective
The upward trend also seems to indicate that above-the-line guilds’ push for improved streaming residual formulas has worked. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026 The residual formulas for the different guilds are closely related, though the WGA is the only one that releases data. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for residual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residual
  1. residue
  2. reminder
  3. lingering
  4. remnant
  5. lasting
  6. artifact
Noun
  • Start the refreshing process by cutting 1 inch off your sunflowers’ stems and washing away residue on the ends with running water.
    — Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Greasy or oily rags can ignite in the dryer due to heat buildup and flammable residue.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of residue
Noun
  • Pet influencers bring a lot of joy to the internet, but Klee and Simon’s story is a reminder that this joy has its limits.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Peak-season crowds begin to thin, evening breezes feel a little cooler and the countdown to Labor Day serves as a reminder to savor the season before shorter autumn days arrive.
    — Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of reminder
Adjective
  • No more distractions, no more lingering questions, just a baller who loves this sport and continues to level up.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Although the treatment significantly reduced the cancer, follow-up exams showed lingering traces of the disease.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of lingering
Noun
  • Dazed but also smiling, the remnant no doubt of a megalomania that ran unchallenged for too long.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Three of Neptune's moons might have been born from the remnants of ancient icy worlds shattered by Neptune's largest moon, Triton, a new study finds.
    — Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of remnant
Adjective
  • Conversely, founders solely focused on money often burn out, lacking the profound commitment needed to build enduring companies and create lasting legacies.
    — Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Another is Judge Sweeney bypassing a temporary restraining order (TRO) to issue a more lasting preliminary injunction (PI).
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of lasting
Noun
  • English Heritage oversees some four hundred historic sites and monuments throughout England, including Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, and the Westbury White Horse, as well as more than a million artifacts.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Other artifacts and historic elements now hang on the walls and fill the historic hallways.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of artifact

Browse Nearby Words

residua
residual
residuals
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Cite this Entry

“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residual. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on residual

Nglish: Translation of residual for Spanish Speakers

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