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
Relevance
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 flotsam
Sure, when the pace got really fast, many of these people faded into the background and became the ride’s early flotsam and jetsam.
—
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
The rest of the album is engrossing film-score flotsam.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
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, 19 Sep. 2025
On the bright side, flotsam from shipwrecks could bring pleasant surprises, such as unexpected treasure – a turning point in many ancient Greek stories.
—Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flotsam
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
The rest of the album is engrossing film-score flotsam.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
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, 19 Sep. 2025
On the bright side, flotsam from shipwrecks could bring pleasant surprises, such as unexpected treasure – a turning point in many ancient Greek stories.
—Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flotsam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flotsam
Noun
-
In addition to clearing debris, Guard officials said, troops have assisted more than 200 people stranded in vehicles and homes and given nearly 300 emergency and healthcare workers rides to work.—
Sophie Bates,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Already too much of Havana – a once beautiful city now littered with debris from buildings collapsing under years of neglect – looks like a war zone.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Gaza Health Ministry currently reports 71,667 deaths, including more than 450 since the October 2025 ceasefire, though Israeli officials said the estimate does not include bodies believed to be buried under rubble.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Some people were trapped under the rubble as Israeli strikes targeted shelters, tents for displaced people, residential apartments and a police station, the spokesperson, Basal, said.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for the private paramedic service ALS Paramedics, told The Associated Press that 11 were dead and several people were critically injured, including the driver of the minibus, who was trapped in the wreckage.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
An Arlington facility for brake parts brand Cardone has been caught in the wreckage as a dramatic bankruptcy and criminal proceedings sweep up an Ohio auto parts conglomerate.—
Sasha Richie,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Homes and infrastructure lie in ruins.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The ruins of one of what was once the northernmost bishopric sat nearby.—
Tim Neville,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flotsam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flotsam. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
