1
as in residue
a remaining group or portion
They tested for chemical residuals in the water.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in reminder
a lingering indication of something from the past
Some modern traditions are residuals of ancient beliefs and rituals.
Related Words
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.
Related Words
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
Carole Horst,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Federal and state gaps Coal combustion residuals, commonly known as coal ash, are the waste products left behind after coal is burned to generate electricity.
—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Transfer dough to reserved bowl and turn to coat with residual pepperoni oil in bowl.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Noun
For 50 years, EP has been a player behind the scenes, handling payroll, production finance, residuals, compliance paperwork and payments while providing expertise and tools to help productions make the most of incentives around the world.
—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Federal and state gaps Coal combustion residuals, commonly known as coal ash, are the waste products left behind after coal is burned to generate electricity.
—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Adjective
Commuters should expect residual delays on June 30, the city's emergency notification system said.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Transfer dough to reserved bowl and turn to coat with residual pepperoni oil in bowl.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residual
Noun
-
Among the 33 chemicals the EPA will require water utilities to test for are seven PFAS, or forever chemicals, and three pesticide residues.
-
In many areas, crop residue is left on fields after harvest, and root systems remain in place year-round, reducing the risk of large-scale wind erosion.
Noun
-
Like many public events in wartime Ukraine, the festival blended ordinary leisure with reminders that the war is never far away.
-
The most potent reminder of the bloodshed lies in the thousands of people buried under debris.
Adjective
-
Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.
-
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.
Noun
-
In addition to remnants of textile production, the Søften dig turned up silver scraps, coins and pearls that testify to trade and economic activity in the region.
-
In what is now the desert Southwest, Velarde was born among the remnants of the Spanish empire and lived under the flags of Mexico and Texas; briefly, the Confederacy, though his family opposed it; and finally, under the stars and stripes of the United States of America.
Adjective
-
Taking the lead in helping Cavalli mature, in ways that have nothing to do with his stuff, would be among their most important and lasting works.
-
The attacks have inflicted lasting damage that will be costly to fix.
Noun
-
Nearby is the Lincoln Museum, filled with period artifacts and wax-figure dioramas that span the breadth of his life, from his early cabin years to the finality of Ford's Theatre.
-
The museum, where materials recovered from the site are stored, created a small but compelling exhibit in its downtown Miami galleries that includes a variety of artifacts from the circle site.
Cite this Entry
“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residual. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
