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 Luca Bindi, an earth scientist at the University of Florence in Italy, found the alloy while collecting microscopic debris from along the beaches of Hiroshima Bay. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 July 2026 Plus, it's protected against dirt and debris larger than 1mm. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026 Court records show Vega repeatedly helped others ignite debris before setting a large piece of cardboard on fire himself. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Now, mud and debris cover the road, and the asphalt is cracked and broken into pieces. — Christina Fan, CBS News, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris

Noun

Garbage in, garbage out has never been more true or more expensive.

— Vaibhav Gujral, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Avoid feeding your dog high-fat foods, including table scraps, and prevent them from getting into garbage.

— The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

The rocket’s upper stage will unintentionally slam into the moon on Wednesday, carving out a crater and sending up a plume of dust and rubble that scientists — and skygazers — are eager to observe.

— Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Two months after some of the most devastating airstrikes, there are still bodies buried under the rubble.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubble

Noun

Or the convention center in Christchurch that became carbon zero because one young staffer started auditing the trash bins.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
In The Athletic’s anonymous annual player poll, he has been voted the NFL’s biggest trash talker and most annoying player.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of trash

Noun

Emergency responders rushed to the scene after the crash, with aerial footage showing firefighters spraying fire retardant on the burning wreckage while thick black smoke rose above the base.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Survivors spoke about coming home and desperately pulling family members out of the wreckage.

— CBS News, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of wreckage

Noun

In an interview, Stitt discussed the dust-up with Trump, warned against efforts to federalize elections, and expressed concern that a mammoth federal government has contributed to the country's tense political climate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
While the collision itself won't be visible from Earth, the resulting dust cloud might be observable by advanced amateur astronomers in parts of North and South America.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of dust

Noun

The journey combines outdoor adventure with the history and culture of the Inca civilization, weaving through cloud forest, high mountain passes and stone-cut ruins before ending at Machu Picchu.

— Ashley Lynch July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
What happened Search teams have rescued eight people from the ruins of a shopping center after a powerful earthquake struck the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on Tuesday.

— Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 29 July 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

Low interest rates let venture capitalists fund nonsense web businesses and let banks provide junk loans to borrowers with terrible credit.

— Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
The crash could reveal new information about what happens in the immediate aftermath of an impact on the lunar surface and offer insights into the hazards of errant space junk to the moon.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 July 2026

Definition of junk

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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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of debris

noun

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