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
• rest
• artifact
• leavings
• leftovers
• remnant
• reminder
• leftover
• remainder
• memento
• dreg(s)
• aftertaste
• trace
• remembrance
• remain(s)
• balance
• corpse
• hangover
• sliver
• afterimage
• stump
• scrap
• excess
• butt
• surplus
• flake
• refuse
• odds and ends
• splinter
• 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

And while some nights are replacing reruns of other shows, that means lower residuals for creatives, with broadcast reruns usually paying out the largest amounts for writers, actors and others involved. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

Seeing titles licensed to cable is super important for residuals for DGA and IATSE members and a big source of many members’ income. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Toothbrushing does a suitable job of tearing into this matrix and clearing away residual food, forcing the bacteria to waste time and energy bouncing back each day. — Mike McRae, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026

Many professional guidelines still have not caught up with the technological innovations that have come to market over the last 10-15 years, such as genetic and minimal residual disease testing. — Karen E. Knudsen, STAT, 27 Oct. 2026