vestiges

plural of vestige
1
as in relics
a tiny often physical indication of something lost or vanished a few strange words carved on a tree were the only vestige of the lost colony of Roanoke

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2
as in footsteps
the mark or impression made by a foot the fossilized vestige of a dinosaur that traversed that muddy landscape millions of years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vestiges The Venetians came and colonized 500 years ago, and many vestiges of our Venetian past are still visible, not just in the architecture and in our food. Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026 All that can be seen of the building now is the vestiges of its foundations. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 These beautiful, intrepid, witty and irrepressible young women and men are living witnesses to the destruction of the last vestiges of the dream of freedom of expression in Russia. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 As with many vestiges of the past, this myth is both a blessing and a curse. Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee were the only vestiges from the group that started behind Webb on opening day. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 The heart-palpitating rhythms and glitchy stutters suggest some unholy mix of early Plastikman and Mark Fell, the vestiges of ’90s dance music reanimated into a herky-jerky Frankenstein’s monster. Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026 The Dynasty contains some vestiges of its label showcase origins, including two clunky Memphis Bleek tracks with no Jay-Z verses. Al Shipley, SPIN, 14 July 2026 Little parts of your vestiges — politically — are gonna be scattered all over the state of Michigan, never to be seen again. David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vestiges
Noun
  • In one glass case sits a face shield, a vaccine vial and a large bottle of hand sanitizer — already considered relics of another time.
    Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The ancient container was discovered among other relics at an underwater site on Old Earth by a team of worker bots.
    Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Among the contestants is reality TV star Sarah Jane Nader, whose older sister, Brooks Nader, competed during season 33 in 2024, following in the footsteps of several sibling pairs who have also competed on the series.
    Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Olivia followed in his footsteps playing juniors and high school tennis at Portledge School on Long Island.
    Lukas Weese, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • With no eyewitness or traces of blood connecting her to the crime, the prosecution’s case relied solely on circumstantial evidence.
    Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
  • This is also why, over the centuries, the physical traces of Elizabeth’s wardrobe have almost completely disappeared.
    Filippo Iarocci, Vanity Fair, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Reviewers are pushing buyers to measure cabinet clearance before purchase, which is why smaller footprints are winning attention.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The two vast reflecting pools sit within the footprints of the Twin Towers; their edges are lined in bronze with the names of the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks.
    Thomas E. Franklin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • However, the neutron stars created by such events may be difficult to distinguish from stellar remnants birthed in the traditional way.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Upon entering, remnants of Portaluppi’s everyday reality abound.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vestiges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vestiges. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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