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

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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

By the late 19th century, something previously seen as garbage had become the foundation of a major new industry.

— Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Electricity is now available up to 20 hours per day, Damascus and other cities are lit up at night, garbage is being collected, and water supplies are returning to neighborhoods on a weekly basis.

— Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

Sweep the deck of debris, hose it down, and scrub any trouble spots with warm, soapy water.

— Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2026
The change also covers medical emergencies that are not the airline’s fault, the removal of unruly passengers, certain cyberattacks, and aircraft damage caused by extreme weather or debris.

— Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of debris

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

This is great news for keeping space clear of junk and extending satellites’ lifetimes—unless China turns that ability to get close to an uncooperative satellite into a military strategy.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026
The move to junk grade territory from BB+ to BB highlighted the project’s vulnerability to default.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of junk

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

Browse Nearby Words

droshky

dross

drought

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“Dross.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dross. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dross

noun

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