Synonyms of dust

dust 1 of 2

noun

ˈdəst 

1

as in debris

discarded or useless material

the piles of dust that future archaeologists will sift through for insights into our civilization

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in soil

the solid part of our planet's surface as distinguished from the sea and air

laid him out in the dust with one blow to the head

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soil
• land
• ground
• earth
• dirt
• continent
• island
• terra firma
• zone
• landmass
• mainland
• peninsula
• isthmus

dust

2 of 2

verb

as in to smoke

to defeat by a large margin

the inexperienced sprinter somehow dusted the field of veterans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smoke
• overcome
• bury
• bomb
• whip
• skin
• throw
• cream
• upset
• wax
• blow away
• paste
• master
• smother
• flatten
• annihilate
• beat
• top
• rout
• thrash
• trim
• sweep
• overwhelm
• snow under
• take
• shellac
• clobber
• skunk
• destroy
• wallop
• beat the pants off
• eat alive
• whup
• conquer
• worst
• wipe the floor with
• exceed
• run circles around
• score
• trounce
• drub
• whop
• surpass
• lick
• succeed
• whomp
• cap
• best
• better
• tromp
• crush
• slaughter
• win (against)
• dispatch
• subdue
• finish
• hurdle
• prevail (over)
• knock over
• triumph (over)
• vanquish
• surmount
• overthrow
• subjugate
• ace (out)
• knock off
• outshine
• eclipse
• overpower
• flourish
• transcend
• overtop
• overbear
• outdo
• overmatch
• edge (out)
• outstrip
• sink
• excel
• break
• outdistance
• upend
• nose out
• pip
• outfight
• do in

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dust

Noun

The finding fits theories that planets and other bodies in the solar system were built in waves as a mixture of fine dust, ice, organic matter and specks of stardust circling the newborn sun clumped together into ever larger objects. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 12 Nov. 2026

For now, cyclists and runners can enjoy an uninterrupted trek along the corridor sans dust, bright orange traffic cones or safety barricades. — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Verb

Once Christmas Day is done and dusted, the focus is on New Year’s—or, as the Scots call it, Hogmanay. — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Lightly dusting it on shiny areas can adjust the finish without springing for a separate soft-matte foundation. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

Phrases Containing dust

• bite the dust