1
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debris
Piles of debris outline where the building, which traditionally served as the office of the First Lady, once stood.
—
Thomas Bordeaux, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
One agent then tried to break Parias’ driver’s side window, leading to Parias driving forward toward a law enforcement vehicle, according to prosecutors, who said this caused plumes of smoke to form from his tires and sent debris into the air, hitting some agents.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
In the forest, carpenter ants have a job to do, recycling woody debris, such as dead trees and fallen logs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Another 12 canisters are filled with radioactive debris from the dismantlement work.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
Thomas Bordeaux, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
One agent then tried to break Parias’ driver’s side window, leading to Parias driving forward toward a law enforcement vehicle, according to prosecutors, who said this caused plumes of smoke to form from his tires and sent debris into the air, hitting some agents.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
In the forest, carpenter ants have a job to do, recycling woody debris, such as dead trees and fallen logs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Another 12 canisters are filled with radioactive debris from the dismantlement work.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris
Noun
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After an effort to create a Falls of the Ohio national park fell short in 1967, Kentucky and Indiana officials struggled to stop the falls from becoming a garbage dump.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Generally, what happens to the White House’s trash is secret—at least as of 2018, which was apparently the last time the federal government released any information on where Oval Office garbage goes.—
Nancy Walecki,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There, heaped into a sad pile of rubble, is a part of the world’s most recognizable structures, one that’s been etched into our minds via many film and TV series that recreated the homebase for fictional political dynasties and presidents.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Thousands of Palestinians are believed to be buried under the rubble.—
Ibrahim Dahman,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kitchens require constant cleaning, as dust and grease build up on cabinet tops.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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Unfortunately, curtains can gather a lot of dust, mold, or dirt if not cleaned every so often, and can lead to allergies and an unhygienic home.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The crash closed most of the westbound lanes of busy Interstate 10 in Ontario for several hours as CHP and crews investigated the wreck and cleared away wreckage.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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Earlier this year, Miley Cyrus reflected on the wreckage and destruction caused by the fires that devastated multiple areas of Los Angeles.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In a photo posted by MLB insider Ben Verlander, Yamamoto is seen with his pitcher's glove picking up trash after his fantastic start.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
As a plus, the mats can be washed and reused instead of going in the trash.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Will there be future fairy tales about birds whose feathers glow in the dark nesting in the ruins of primitive power plants of past ages?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
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Teenagers can only take so many historical facts or visits to ancient ruins and notable churches.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One hurdle for these editors is that far-right hate is more conducive to digital slop, both because algorithms prize outlandish ragebait and because the tribalistic ideas themselves are low IQ rubbish.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
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This was due to the incredible amount of rubbish that had been left to pile up inside.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And Doctorow asserts Amazon began charging merchants junk fees.—
NPR,
NPR,
21 Oct. 2025
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Even without such a collapse, the influx of synthetic junk muddies the waters for real users.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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