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 Extreme Weather Survivors concentrates on issues such as federal aid, debris clean-up and insurance reform. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 28 Oct. 2026 Remove diseased plant debris to stop pests and diseases from returning in spring. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 28 Oct. 2026 In 2021, the archaeologists began investigating architectural debris that is roughly 3,700 years old. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Oct. 2026 But for many adults who have something stuck in their ear, the debris is insects, such as ants, beetles, flies or cockroaches. — David Hu, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris

Noun

The growing garbage fire has warped a landfill hillside, which could potentially trigger and avalanche of garbage and leachate.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
In the third, Brock Boeser and Jamie Oleksiak scored what seemed like garbage-time goals.

— Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

Greg Hernandez separates materials from a pile of rubble during the teardown of the Cabrini-Green projects at 1157 and 1159 Cleveland Ave.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Rescue operations are underway as there are reports that people may be trapped under the rubble.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubble

Noun

The danger can begin when a battery is placed in a trash or recycling bin, Klein said.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026
The rats tear open trash bags and seem to resist mitigation efforts, including poison, peppermint spray and even freezing trash until collection day.

— Joe Brandt, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of trash

Noun

Rescue workers searched the wreckage through the day for survivors and bodies.

— JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Second fatal train crash this year The wreckage of Wednesday’s crash reminded many of the aftermath of another train collision in January, when 46 people died in southern Spain when an IRYO train jumped the track and hit an oncoming RENFE train.

— Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of wreckage

Noun

But there are actual terrifying objects in space, entities operating on a scale that crush our minds and reduce our human experience to a mote of dust floating in the dark.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
Keep appliances clean and free of dust, following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

— Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of dust

Noun

The board heard two days of testimony from Weisheit, lawyers, the children’s parents and first responders who were at an Evansville home in 2010 when the bodies of 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and 5-year-old Caleb Lynch were recovered in the fire ruins.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
The board heard two days of testimony from Weisheit, lawyers, the children's parents and first responders who were at an Evansville home in 2010 when the bodies of 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and 5-year-old Caleb Lynch were recovered in the fire ruins.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruins

Noun

In-store events also offer shoppers the chance to gather and make something by hand—from personalized ornaments to holiday junk journals.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 26 Oct. 2026
Such small pieces of junk are also impossible to track and therefore avoid.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of debris

noun

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