remains 1 of 2

Definition of remainsnext
1
as in rubble
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed the remains of the house ripped apart by the tornado littered the block for weeks afterward

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in corpse
a dead body archaeologists discovered the remains of an Incan woman and carefully excavated her burial site, which promised to yield important clues about her status

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

remains

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of remain

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 remains
Verb
At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Nov. 2025 Four years on, the diatribe remains the same. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025 Rather, Metropolitan evokes the youthful experience of being home, avoiding family, and clinging to friends during the holiday break, when responsibility remains over the horizon and your whole life is still ahead of you. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025 By addressing it daily, your clothes chair remains useful for quick drops but won’t become a burden. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025 The situation remains devastating but what hurts the most is the silence. NPR, 8 Nov. 2025 The third-floor walk-up has been renovated, but the old-school charm remains in its hardwood floors, ample windows, and brick façade. Gabriela Ulloa, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2025 The Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed one victim has serious injuries but remains in stable condition. Alexandra Koch , Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025 According to the news release, no further information will be released at this time, and the incident remains under investigation. Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remains
Verb
  • Although indoor poinsettia usually stays relatively compact, outdoor plants can grow over 10 feet tall.
    Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Instead, water them once a week, making sure the soil stays moist but never wet.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The return of Matthews the Superstar continues.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The federal change at the CDC comes as a measles outbreak which first appeared in northwest South Carolina in late 2025 continues to grow, reaching 211 cases by Tuesday.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But Barkov will not be able to play, and now an entire nation waits with bated breath to find out if Landeskog will be available or not.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Fabiana Hernández Ortega waits for a truck delivering milk — a basic staple that has become increasingly scarce.
    Eyder Peralta, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • However, depending on how long the shutdown lasts, the commodity offerings could eventually start to run dry, Little said.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The journey from Bönigen to Interlaken by water lasts around 90 minutes.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • If blood still persists, repeat these steps until the stain has lifted.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites are grappling with the pause of food assistance as a nationwide pause on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits persists among the ongoing government shutdown.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Remains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remains. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on remains

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!