1
as in residue
a remaining group or portion
They tested for chemical residuals in the water.
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2
as in reminder
a lingering indication of something from the past
Some modern traditions are residuals of ancient beliefs and rituals.
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as in lingering
still existing or happening after something is completed or removed
The oven was still warm with residual heat. The area is still dealing with the residual effects of the flood.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of residual
Tony Jones, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Alas, the cash windfall in network television residuals (just ask the cast of Friends) has not flowed from other residual streams.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
A lot of this still feels like residual 2024-25 momentum, combined with a relatively less competitive chart period.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Noun
Looking deeper, this is a team still fighting the residual of a trade deadline that saw second-year guard Jared McCain dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Alas, the cash windfall in network television residuals (just ask the cast of Friends) has not flowed from other residual streams.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Periodically clean garbage cans with ammonia to reduce residual odor.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
A lot of this still feels like residual 2024-25 momentum, combined with a relatively less competitive chart period.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residual
Noun
-
Once dry, there’s no crunch or residue—the weightless foam gives hair instant texture and body, adding bounce and lift to each strand.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The residue on my fingers might set off bomb detectors at security.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The strikes, which included hits on areas in western Ukraine far from the front lines, are a stark reminder that Moscow's war continues even as Western officials are consumed with the conflict in the Middle East.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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Closed schools across the Gulf are a reminder that when conflicts escalate, children are the first to pay the price, the UN’s secretary general told the Security Council earlier this month, Arab News reported.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
On March 6, Ecuadoran armed forces returned, this time to bomb the remnants of Miguel's property, captured in a video shared by the Department of War.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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The farm buildings on the property—long verandas, shearing sheds, and concrete kennels—are old and decayed, remnants from long before the group showed up.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
An existential crisis for TSA Months of turmoil and funding whiplash may have lasting effects on TSA’s ability to recruit and retain workers, McNeill told lawmakers this week.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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Her kindness and devotion to others left a lasting impact.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Alongside the University of Warsaw archaeologists, conservationists are working tirelessly to preserve and restore these paintings and artifacts.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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The finding suggests these remains may have once been part of a private collection — artifacts or human specimens gathered abroad and brought into the United States at some earlier point in history.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residual. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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