1
as in residue
a remaining group or portion
They tested for chemical residuals in the water.
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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of residual
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
One of the bigger differences between SAG-AFTRA’s TV and podcast agreements is that the former is generally subject to residuals while the latter is not.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2026
C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
On social media, actors take a perverse delight in posting pictures of residual payments for amounts lower than the postage needed to mail the check.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Noun
Van Der Beek also addressed the matter of residuals amid the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
One of the bigger differences between SAG-AFTRA’s TV and podcast agreements is that the former is generally subject to residuals while the latter is not.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Eggs will continue cooking in the residual heat of the potatoes.
—C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
On social media, actors take a perverse delight in posting pictures of residual payments for amounts lower than the postage needed to mail the check.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residual
Noun
-
Rinse any nearby plants again to make sure no cleaning residue remains.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the dust particles reached the ground as rain and coated the surface with a brown colored residue.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Each bonkers bit is a nice reminder not to take anything too seriously.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Freestone said the findings should serve as a strong reminder for people to be mindful of hygiene while traveling.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The ship remnant will be among several items sent back to the Iziko Museums of South Africa later this year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Stars will go dark, stellar remnants will fade away, and even black holes will evaporate.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At the same time, addressing the underlying debt often provides the most lasting solution to help stop the calls and move you closer to financial stability.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Through intimate observational footage, letters read in voiceover, archival footage of their lives before the war, De Pue shows the devastating and lasting effects of war on the lives of the protagonists.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This is the place to go for Japanese art and artifacts, with a strong, 110,000-piece collection of paintings, tea ceremony ceramics, samurai swords and armor, kimonos, lacquerware, sculpture, ukiyo-e prints, and more.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
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New displays, interactive displays and numerous artifacts from the old 45th Infantry Division Museum will fill the museum.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residual. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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