Synonyms of flotsam

flotsam

noun

ˈflät-səm 

as in debris

the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed

the dispirited family picked through the flotsam of their possessions after the hurricane, looking for anything that could be salvaged

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debris
• rubble
• wreckage
• remains
• ruins
• detritus
• remnant
• ashes
• residue
• wreck
• jetsam
• garbage
• dust
• junk
• leavings
• litter
• chaff
• trash
• rubbish
• dross
• refuse
• scrap
• waste
• deadwood
• riffraff

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flotsam

There’s a lot of trivia and bits and bobs of flotsam that get in there. — Nick Hilden, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2026

Jupiter’s location in the path of the Gulf Stream means there’s a constant flow of tropical water that improves the ocean’s clarity and visibility by carrying out any algae, flotsam, or runoff that accumulates. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026

And the Heat’s supporting players at the moment are far better than the flotsam and jetsam that currently are with the Bucks. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026

Through displaying the flotsam, Corinn Flaherty hopes to raise people’s awareness about marine pollution. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

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