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 Sweep the debris from the tombstone and leave fresh flowers or stones. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026 The tumbling vehicle had left a long trail of debris across the sheer cliff—shoes, clothes, books, papers, luggage. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Rapid migration could also suggest that the present-day Uranian moons may even be debris produced during an earlier disruption of Uranus's satellite system. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Witnesses said the woman had been standing on the shoulder and jumped to avoid being hit by a vehicle that was swerving to avoid debris and other vehicles in the road. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris

Noun

By the late 19th century, something previously seen as garbage had become the foundation of a major new industry.

— Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Electricity is now available up to 20 hours per day, Damascus and other cities are lit up at night, garbage is being collected, and water supplies are returning to neighborhoods on a weekly basis.

— Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

Two women in Zaporizhzhia died when they were trapped beneath the rubble of their home, Zaporizhzhia’s regional military administration said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Rescue crews with a sniffer dog were searching the rubble for potentially missing people, the fire department said.

— Lefteris Pitarakis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of rubble

Noun

The Egan Maritime Institute said its exhibits and collections manager would survey the site and send a report to state underwater archaeologists, who then will work with the institute to determine which vessel the wreckage came from.

— CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
The institute’s exhibits and collections manager and the state’s underwater archaeologists will work to determine which vessel the wreckage came from.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of wreckage

Noun

Even great books can acquire dust on the shelf; an infusion of feeling helps keep them alive.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
The poorer the air being inhaled by children in Hackney, the more regularly the dust was agitated and the thicker the storm and richer the color inside the box.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of dust

Noun

Hikers will uncover Romanesque ruins, ancient forests, crumbling monasteries, and orange groves along their way.

— Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
But a more apt comparison might be the Mirabilia Urbis Romae, in which Medieval scholars deciphered the staggering ruins of Classical Rome.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruins

Noun

This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.

— Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
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

Definition of rubbish

Noun

This is great news for keeping space clear of junk and extending satellites’ lifetimes—unless China turns that ability to get close to an uncooperative satellite into a military strategy.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026
The move to junk grade territory from BB+ to BB highlighted the project’s vulnerability to default.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of junk

Browse Nearby Words

debriefs

debris

debs

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“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of debris

noun

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