DROSS Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

dross

noun

ˈdräs

Definition of dross

as in garbage

discarded or useless material get rid of the dross before closing up the shop

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 dross And we are asked to make the leap ourselves—men were also sacrificed as dross. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 The downside of all of these riches is the dross accompanying the gold. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026 What tabloid dross tends to obscure is his impressive career—first as a star dancer at the New York City Ballet, then as a roving choreographer of complex, dynamic work that is rooted in balletic conventions but not restricted by them. — Sara Krolewski, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026 These meteors are the dross shed by the comet 169P/NEAT, whose path Earth crosses at this time each year. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 July 2025 Amongst all the dross and angst, Neil and Teddy try to talk everyone into investing in a baseball-card trading venture that might generate $500 in profits after a year. — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025 But among the dross there gleam a few brilliant exceptions—deceptive, slippery books that defy the constraints of region and genre. — Charlie Lee, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025 The chipmaker is still raising cash and cutting costs though, as there seems to be quite a bit of dross. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025 Many experience mental health challenges on top of the physical toll of making something out of the unending dross Kantamanto is pummeled with. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dross

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

Avon Street remains closed from Merriman to Niagara Street as crews clear the roadway of debris.

— Elle Meyers, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
However, throwing it back over the fence could create another dispute, particularly if doing so amounts to dumping debris on your neighbor’s property.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of debris

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

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

Noun

Hours later, a group of rescuers in hard hats were using poles stripped from trees to poke at the huge pile of rubble.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Some opening day effects are long gone, such as the illusion created by actual shifting doors at the start of the attraction, or visions of tumbling rubble near its beginning.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubble

Browse Nearby Words

droshky

dross

drought

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dross.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dross. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dross

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes