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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flotsam
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
Without forward Jalen Johnson healthy, the Hawks failed to emerge out of the play-in tournament flotsam this past spring.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
So the Nets basically have one year and one offseason to turn this random assortment of flotsam into a credible NBA roster.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flotsam
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
Without forward Jalen Johnson healthy, the Hawks failed to emerge out of the play-in tournament flotsam this past spring.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
So the Nets basically have one year and one offseason to turn this random assortment of flotsam into a credible NBA roster.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flotsam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flotsam
Noun
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The wind and the cars that drive over the pile scatter the debris into neighbors’ lots, commercial property parking areas, etc.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Rake the area free of any residual plant debris.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The structure is being brought down so first responders can safely go in and recover the two workers who are trapped under the rubble.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The remains of one of his two daughters were still missing, believed to be trapped under rubble, as search operations concluded Saturday, three days after the attacks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Two stood on the floating wreckage and were rescued by lifeguards with Jet Skis.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Legend has it that if a ship was found wrecked, bananas were the only items found floating amongst the wreckage.—
Abby Fribush,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ethiopia is home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites — including churches, parks and ancient ruins.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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Something of an oxymoron for a city whose reputation is built on ruins.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flotsam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flotsam. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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