Synonyms of residue

residue

noun

ˈre-zə-ˌdü 

1

as in debris

the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed

the detective noticed an ashy residue in the sink and deduced that a piece of paper had been burned there

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debris
• rubble
• wreckage
• remains
• ruins
• remnant
• ashes
• detritus
• wreck
• flotsam
• dust
• leavings
• garbage
• junk
• litter
• chaff
• jetsam
• waste
• trash
• dross
• scrap
• rubbish
• refuse
• deadwood
• riffraff

2

as in remainder

a remaining group or portion

the residue of our Thanksgiving feast consisted of a denuded turkey carcass and a couple rolls

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remainder
• rest
• remnant
• remains
• residuum
• leavings
• leftovers
• odds and ends
• fragment
• balance
• vestige
• excess
• surplus
• stump
• scrap
• butt
• overabundance
• stub
• overage
• superfluity
• overflow
• fat
• oversupply
• surfeit
• overkill
• overmuch
• superabundance
• scraping(s)
• oddment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of residue

Underarm yellowing on white shirts is common due to the reaction between your antiperspirant and body salt residue left in the shirt before storage. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

In his experience, white vinegar is helpful with hard water residue and older sweat stains on fabrics like clothing. — Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2026

Belief is not the residue of winning; it is built, on purpose, long before kick-off. — André Martin, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Cleaning your trash can regularly and rinsing food residue from containers prevents odors that attract fruit flies. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 16 July 2026