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
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Anson Wong, cofounder of Eat100 Also addressing food waste in Japan is Kai Hashizume, who cofounded Booon in 2022 to convert leftover food into a low-cost source of insect protein for aquaculture feed.
—Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Plant Early Got leftover bulbs from fall?
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leftover
Noun
These spaghetti cups, piled with a saucy mixture of ground turkey and broccoli, and topped with cheese, are an ideal way to use leftover spaghetti.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Anson Wong, cofounder of Eat100 Also addressing food waste in Japan is Kai Hashizume, who cofounded Booon in 2022 to convert leftover food into a low-cost source of insect protein for aquaculture feed.
—Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Adjective
Scrape Away Leftover Food Use a rubber spatula or paper towel to remove leftover food from the dishes and cookware.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Plant Early Got leftover bulbs from fall?
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leftover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leftover
Noun
-
Perhaps even a rag-tag group of remainders can put a scare into San Antonio.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
-
The best-case scenario would be for the Lakers’ remainders to extend the best-of-seven series with the Rockets long enough for Doncic and Reaves to rejoin LeBron James in that Big Three, either at the end of this series or the start of the next one.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
New York will also have a clear rest advantage over the Spurs with a nine-day lay-off by the time the NBA Finals start.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
After thirty, rest is important.—
Taiye Selasi,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Asteroid impacts can fracture and heat Earth’s crust, creating hydrothermal systems where residual heat warms groundwater and lakes for extended periods.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
-
Despite residual discomfort, Hernandez played in all 17 postseason games, seeing time mostly in left field after Michael Conforto was not included on the playoff roster.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Gabriel and Saliba complement each other brilliantly; while one scraps, blocks and clears, the other sweeps, covers and builds with the ball.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
There is however by far not enough scrap steel in the world to rely only on this method, but an alternative is to feed such furnaces with Direct Reduced Iron (DRI).—
Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Fresh off the first MVP season of his 17-year NFL career, the Los Angeles Rams signed Matthew Stafford to a one-year, $55 million contract extension that ties him to the Rams through the 2027 season with $105 million in remaining compensation, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
22 May 2026
-
Chando’s Tacos closed its remaining Sacramento-area locations in July, though restaurants on Power Inn Road and Arden Way reopened three months later and remain open.—
Reeti Malhotra
May 22,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Yi’s studio is filled with the remnants of her works.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
There are several Star City tourism companies that offer packages to take an excursion to Moscow or have an extended stay in this strange remnant of another age.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leftover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leftover. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
