Synonyms of residual

residual 1 of 2

noun

1

as in residue

a remaining group or portion

They tested for chemical residuals in the water.

Related Words

• residue
• fragment
• residuum
• artifact
• rest
• leavings
• leftovers
• remnant
• reminder
• leftover
• remainder
• trace
• memento
• dreg(s)
• aftertaste
• remain(s)
• remembrance
• balance
• corpse
• hangover
• sliver
• afterimage
• stump
• excess
• scrap
• butt
• surplus
• flake
• refuse
• splinter
• odds and ends
• shred
• pickings
• piece
• vestige
• chip
• oddment
• overabundance
• overflow
• echo
• tatter
• stub
• scraping(s)
• ghost
• fat
• overage
• superabundance
• oversupply
• surfeit
• fag end
• superfluity
• shadow
• relic
• ribbon(s)
• overkill
• overmuch
• end

Dissimilar Words

• most
• body
• mass
• weight
• bulk
• main
• whole

2

as in reminder

a lingering indication of something from the past

Some modern traditions are residuals of ancient beliefs and rituals.

Related Words

• reminder
• remnant
• artifact
• residue
• memento
• remainder
• leftover
• aftertaste
• remembrance
• afterimage
• rest
• corpse
• echo
• hangover
• balance
• scrap
• relic
• vestige
• leavings
• ghost
• trace
• oddment
• dreg(s)
• remain(s)
• shadow

residual

2 of 2

adjective

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.

Related Words

• lingering
• lasting
• remaining
• leftover
• enduring
• abiding
• persisting
• continuing
• staying
• holding up
• keeping up
• surviving
• perduring
• biding
• holding on
• prevailing
• running on
• sticking around
• tarrying
• carrying through

Dissimilar Words

• dying (down)
• waning
• subsiding
• ebbing
• abating
• moderating
• letting up
• dying
• passing
• ending
• finishing
• lapsing
• concluding
• closing
• stopping
• terminating
• ceasing
• winding up
• expiring
• quitting
• discontinuing
• desisting
• leaving off

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of residual

Noun

For 50 years, EP has been a player behind the scenes, handling payroll, production finance, residuals, compliance paperwork and payments while providing expertise and tools to help productions make the most of incentives around the world. — Carole Horst, Variety, 16 June 2026

Federal and state gaps Coal combustion residuals, commonly known as coal ash, are the waste products left behind after coal is burned to generate electricity. — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026

Adjective

Tolbert says residual fat and crumbs left behind in a pet food storage container can attract dust mites and parasites over time. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026

Engineers still have to manage cracking, porosity, residual stress, cooling rates, powder quality, and final heat treatment. — New Atlas, 6 July 2026