1
as in remainder
an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value
that doormat is just a leftover from when the new carpet was installed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rest
leftovers plural
a remaining group or portion
take as many of these calendars as you want, and put the leftovers back on the shelf
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in residual
still existing or present after other parts are used or removed
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover rice.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 leftover
Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
Mark containers with dates and make an effort to consume the oldest leftovers first.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
Justin Lewis, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
And with each cup of steaming or iced coffee made on a machine that doesn't use pods comes leftover coffee grounds.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leftover
Noun
Any leftover rain is expected to change over to snow or drizzle by the evening.
—Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
Mark containers with dates and make an effort to consume the oldest leftovers first.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Saturday features leftover light snow, mainly east, amounting to a coating to three inches.
—Justin Lewis, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
And with each cup of steaming or iced coffee made on a machine that doesn't use pods comes leftover coffee grounds.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leftover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leftover
Noun
-
Socrates’ reply to Glaucon was complicated, taking up the whole remainder of this lengthy dialogue.—
Paul Rosenzweig,
Washington Post,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Winner will serve remainder of term Whoever wins will fill the remainder of Hancock's term, which expires at the end of the year.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Once the last flower drops off, the plant needs rest to recover its strength, and during that time, the leaf segments may look thin, dull, and saggy.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
-
But keep in mind the team will likely search for ways to build in extra rest for their five starters.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While tensions eased with time, residual remained, emerging again amid national protests over ICE raids.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Odors are often caused by residual water or mineral buildup.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For the second version, Fan went dumpster diving and found scraps at furniture stores, motors on eBay and bookends from the dollar store that were the perfect height.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Keep it simple and just use lemon scraps, or create your own scent by adding in rosemary, cloves, or other fragrant ingredients.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Wu said Friday that the city will use its remaining American Rescue Plan Act dollars, at a rate of $340,000 per month, to extend the fare-free pilot program for MBTA bus routes 23, 28 and 29, through the end of June.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The outlook could change again Saturday, as UConn is set to visit Villanova in its most difficult remaining road game.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And within that galaxy, not only will stars live-and-die, and not only will star-formation cease once all of the gas has been consumed, but gravitational interactions will eject most of those stellar corpses, as well as the planet remnants that orbit them.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
These soon give way to montages, collages, and montages of collages, each aimed at transforming tangible remnants of memory, like photographs, into abstract depictions of a life lived.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leftover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leftover. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
