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 And finding launch windows that avoid known debris will become more difficult. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 With the program's loss, millions now face a heightened risk of GLOFs, which can release millions of cubic meters of water and debris in just a few hours. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026 Brushing controls shedding, removes debris and prevents tangles. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 However, the state is already hard at work coordinating debris cleanup with local governments. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris

Noun

Exhibiting a pile of hot, steaming garbage might have been more transgressive than showing these sculptures.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
But to anyone who knew the actual facts, not reckless garbage spewed on the internet, the result of the process was never in doubt.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

Though now joining the collections of major museums, in the 1970s his artworks depicting the hardship and life of Indigenous Bolivians were rescued from the trash outside his former Manhattan studio, according to multiple accounts.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
After the registration is confirmed, dispose of the toy in the trash.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of trash

Noun

After the wreckage was recovered from the ocean, the report said, an examination revealed that a bearing failed in the high-pressure fuel pump.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Within minutes, Silverman and the ambulance arrived at a storage facility parking lot behind a large one-story commercial building to find LAPD officers grabbing fire extinguishers and dragging a man away from the burning wreckage.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of wreckage

Noun

One study links living near new Kern County oil and gas wells to higher infection risk, while massive housing and solar construction promise more soil disturbance and airborne, infectious dust.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Commissioned by John and Carol Johnston, parents of three young children, the glass and marble-dust stucco structure was completed in 1968.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of dust

Noun

As the lake dries, the ruins of one of 11 villages that had been inundated by the reservoir have emerged, as alarm grows over the need for alternative water supplies for the city of 42 million.

— EDNA TARIGAN, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
The vast majority of Palestinians continue to live in tent camps or ruins of their former homes.

— Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 23 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

At the same time, SoftBank’s junk-bond offering, which will fund its investment in OpenAI, appears to have healthy demand.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Build a Command Deck With the Control Center The Control Center was a welcome addition to iOS 7 in 2013, but its implementation still feels more like a junk drawer than a command center.

— Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 20 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of debris

noun

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