DEBRIS Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

debris

noun

də-ˈbrē

Definition of debris

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

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

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 debris Three 55-gallon drums and other debris were buried underground. — Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 The skyscraper has been the subject of multiple complaints, including allegations of falling debris and unsafe conditions, records show. — Kelly McCleary, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 Following significant rainfall events, Public Works evaluates reported flooding locations and responds to maintenance issues, such as debris or drainage obstructions, where appropriate. — Casey Mann, Arkansas Online, 8 July 2026 Eliminate standing water so mosquitoes can't breed Clean up debris quickly before pests have time to move in. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris

Noun

Instead, rival parties united in dismissing his actions as a stunt, leaving his only opponent to be a garbage-can wearing comedian whose policies include forcing rule-breaking cyclists to ride unicycles.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Using a plastic bag to collect the soil and disposing of it in the garbage — not green yard waste bins — will help to reduce the spread of airborne chemicals.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of garbage

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

Attorneys for the owners of the landfill, which stopped accepting trash last year, claimed this spring in the litigation that the lawsuits may be tainted by fraud.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
The concrete bleachers around the basketball court was teeming with trash, plastic cups, and bottles of alcohol.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026

Definition of trash

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

If caught in dense blowing dust, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
At the start of this World Cup, there was concern that many of the new teams – some of which had never played a World Cup match – would be used as dust rags for the world powers.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026

Definition of dust

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

Noun

Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
So where does the rubbish come from?

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026

Definition of rubbish

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debriefs

debris

debs

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“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of debris

noun

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