Synonyms of debris

debris

noun

də-ˈbrē 

1

as in garbage

discarded or useless material

the unsightly debris left after mining operations had ceased

Synonyms & Similar Words

• garbage
• trash
• dust
• rubbish
• junk
• rubble
• litter
• sewage
• truck
• waste
• wreckage
• chaff
• dross
• offal
• deadwood
• effluvium
• refuse
• scrap
• riffraff
• lumber
• detritus
• ruins
• raffle
• dreck
• wash
• spilth
• crud
• offscouring
• remains
• flotsam
• dump
• jetsam
• discard
• scrap heap
• swill
• straw
• slop
• odds and ends
• trumpery
• cull
• nothing
• castoff
• reject
• two bits
• throwaway
• hand-me-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• treasure
• prize
• plum
• pearl
• treasure trove
• catch
• trove
• jewel
• gem
• find
• salvage
• booty
• valuable
• goody

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

• rubble
• wreckage
• ruins
• remains
• ashes
• remnant
• residue
• detritus
• wreck
• flotsam
• dust
• garbage
• junk
• leavings
• litter
• jetsam
• trash
• chaff
• rubbish
• waste
• dross
• scrap
• refuse
• deadwood
• riffraff

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of debris

The main basket lifts out and can be easily emptied and cleaned with a hose without touching any debris. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

The team estimated how many wrinkles might be present across Mercury’s surface if they weren’t hidden by debris. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

These new pieces strike other satellites and rockets, generating even more debris faster than atmospheric drag can remove it. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Ryzhak, 33, had to pull her skirt from beneath the debris, shaking off pieces of broken glass. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026