1
as in garbage
discarded or useless material
the unsightly debris left after mining operations had ceased
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubble
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
the demolition workers cleared away all of the debris from the demolished building
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debris
During that time—but only after any threat of debris from reentry has cleared—NASA's waiting recovery team will come to meet the astronauts and fish them out of the capsule.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
Cities and counties already expect higher debris collections each February and March, as live oaks lining city streets dump leaves and pollen ahead of spring.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
The sound is amplified through pickups and electromagnets found in debris after a fire.
—Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Transportation officials reported debris along I-695 approaching Exit 29B-A for MD 542, Loch Raven Boulevard.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debris
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
Cities and counties already expect higher debris collections each February and March, as live oaks lining city streets dump leaves and pollen ahead of spring.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
The sound is amplified through pickups and electromagnets found in debris after a fire.
—Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Transportation officials reported debris along I-695 approaching Exit 29B-A for MD 542, Loch Raven Boulevard.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debris
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris
Noun
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Knowing what not to put down a garbage disposable can help preserve your appliance and your peace of mind.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
12 Apr. 2026
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The lack of fuel has worsened the country’s other longtime problems, from pumping water, picking up garbage to producing food, among others.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The structure is being brought down so first responders can safely go in and recover the two workers who are trapped under the rubble.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The remains of one of his two daughters were still missing, believed to be trapped under rubble, as search operations concluded Saturday, three days after the attacks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What to do with the seeds The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture advises people who receive the seeds to double-bag them and put them in a trash bin that goes to a landfill or incinerator.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Visit the product recall page on the company's website to register for the recall and follow the instructions on how to request replacement parts, which include uploading a photo showing the original attachment accessories in the trash.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two stood on the floating wreckage and were rescued by lifeguards with Jet Skis.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Legend has it that if a ship was found wrecked, bananas were the only items found floating amongst the wreckage.—
Abby Fribush,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Remove dust, cobwebs, and debris using your duster or soft brush.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
12 Apr. 2026
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The suction is strong enough to suck up anything that might finagle its way into your car, including dirt, sand, dust, pet hair, and crumbs.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While in Annaba, Leo will visit the archaeological ruins of the ancient Roman city of Hippo, including its theater, market and thermal baths.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
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Leo prayed under a tent looking out over the ruins of the ancient Roman city, including its theater, market and basilica where Augustine preached and the adjoining baptistry.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Stony rubbish, dead trees, the odd corpse in the garden—nothing that couldn’t be absorbed back into the earth.—
Caroline Fraser,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Is all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart…?—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Why wouldn't you if your press conference du jour was a junk fees settlement with the HungryPanda delivery app?—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Kate Bowler examines the appeal of junk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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