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
-
The remaining plant residue will prevent erosion, suppress weeds and add more carbon to the soil.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
The underside of the soda fountain had brown residue accumulation.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 29,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 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
-
Yi’s studio is filled with the remnants of her works.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
There are several Star City tourism companies that offer packages to take an excursion to Moscow or have an extended stay in this strange remnant of another age.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Researchers say migraines may contribute to lasting changes in the brain, but overlapping factors like poor sleep and stress likely play a role too.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
2 June 2026
-
Verma, who also served as a member of Parliament, renders Magadh as a place at once real and imaginary, lasting and lost—both a point of origin and an unreachable destination.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
1 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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