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
Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Writers won meaningful protections on artificial intelligence, strengthened residuals and raised minimums that reflect the economic realities of a business that has spent the better part of a decade restructuring itself at the writers’ expense.
—George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Yonesy Nunez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
For his role in the movie, Hanson still receives a $50 residual annually.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Noun
The union represents 116 members, who work in areas including legal, communications and residuals.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Writers won meaningful protections on artificial intelligence, strengthened residuals and raised minimums that reflect the economic realities of a business that has spent the better part of a decade restructuring itself at the writers’ expense.
—George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Adjective
The new model proves which problems matter, funds the work to retire them and tells leadership honestly what residual risk is being accepted in return.
—Yonesy Nunez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
For his role in the movie, Hanson still receives a $50 residual annually.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residual
Noun
-
Tips To Keep Your Stove Grates Clean Longer Clean up spills and messes as soon as the burner and grates have cooled to prevent a buildup of residue.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
Mold-like residue buildup was found on the shelves and walls of a Coca-Cola beverage cooler and syrup residue buildup was found on the bottom shelf inside a cooler.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
June 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
These relics stand as reminders of those who came before, setting the scene.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Dembele’s subsequent success is an encouraging reminder that, if handled correctly, even the most severe hamstring injury need not have a lasting negative impact on a footballer’s career.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
10 June 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
-
This photo provided by Kylie Rouse shows the remnants of Shane and Jimmie Tipton's home in Unionville, Missouri, on June 10, 2026, after a tornado struck.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Although the Pulse nightclub was torn down, remnants from the building will be incorporated throughout the site helping to root memories in place.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
For all of its massive successes, and for all of the fame, money, and love generated by this Broadway juggernaut, 125 years later the biggest lasting impact of Florodora is this spicy and fruity little cocktail, created for one particular girl in a particularly imperious mood.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
13 June 2026
-
Caceres, who’s now in private practice, said the ordeal has had lasting impact on his career.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Amanda Pecsenye Behind the handwritten lyrics and archival concert outfits in Ohio’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is Amanda Pecsenye, whose curatorial eye uncovers new artifacts amid the persistent rumble of rock music.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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Inside, artifacts, photographs, and archival materials trace the surge of prospectors who passed through in the late 1850s, when Lillooet briefly grew into one of the largest settlements north of San Francisco, with a population that peaked around 16,000.—
Vivian Chung,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residual. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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