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
The Chicago Park District dispatched crews to clear the beaches and ran out of places to put the foul flotsam.
—
Theodore J. Karamanski, Chicago Tribune, 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
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
See All Example Sentences for flotsam
Theodore J. Karamanski, Chicago Tribune, 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
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
See All Example Sentences for flotsam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flotsam
Noun
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Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
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The weather service also urged people to avoid windows, and if outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle to seek the closest substantial shelter and to protect themselves from flying debris.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Lasker ran over to find the woman's husband was stuck in the rubble and ended up helping rescue him.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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Now, people have been crammed into around 40 percent of the space left to them — sheltering among broken buildings, rubble and mounting solid waste.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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As more and more outlets pick up the footage Daniel has protected throughout the movie, there are glimpses of spaceships falling through the sky and their wreckage.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
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The Idaho Transportation Department has reopened a state highway that was closed nearly a month ago when a midair fighter jet collision during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base left aircraft wreckage on the roadway.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Many before Labīd and many after him across the long arc of Arabic, have begun their poems by standing upon ruins.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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Sri Lanka, off the southeastern coast of India, packs lush tea plantations, ancient Buddhist ruins, biodiversity and pristine beaches into one of the most affordable trips on this list — though its popularity is rising fast.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flotsam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flotsam. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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