1
as in garbage
discarded or useless material
the unsightly debris left after mining operations had ceased
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubble
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
the demolition workers cleared away all of the debris from the demolished building
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debris
Shards of debris scattered across the car lot and wrapped around the mangled trees.
—
Adrian Sainz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
In Potosi, cars were flipped and images showed storm debris strewn across the landscape.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
The work included above-ground radiation surveys and testing to identify debris below the surface, the release said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
The truck's windshield was smashed and debris, including shattered glass, was strewn across the street.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
Adrian Sainz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
In Potosi, cars were flipped and images showed storm debris strewn across the landscape.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
The work included above-ground radiation surveys and testing to identify debris below the surface, the release said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
The truck's windshield was smashed and debris, including shattered glass, was strewn across the street.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris
Noun
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The organization also sampled 25 different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organic compounds that form when oil, wood or garbage burns.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Town Councilman Tim Clayton said the new fee, which will be charged to residential customers, will be effective April 1 and is part of a contractual agreement with Republic Services, the town’s garbage/recycling carrier.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
At least two of the dead were construction workers who were killed by falling rubble or debris, rescue worker Songwut Wangpon told reporters.—
David Rising,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
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So far, federal cleanup crews have cleared ash and rubble from more than 860 properties, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Exposure to silica dust can cause severe lung disease.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
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Either the kids get discovered now or their dreams may turn to dust.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Due to the marshy terrain, much of the plane was underwater, and officials had to make their way to the wreckage by airboat.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The book revealed the emotional wreckage that lay just beneath the seductive, glittering surface of a certain sector of France’s progressive cultural élite.—
Leslie Camhi,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That beat the alternative of having people walk up and down the trails with heavy bags of trash, said Steve Lozano, deputy chief of the Fire-Rescue Department.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
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Videos of the scene show the parking lot riddled with massive piles of trash and one of the campers engulfed in flames.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The site was first excavated beginning in 1995, and in 2018, scientists began collecting, analyzing and radiocarbon dating fossils unearthed from El Gigante rubbish piles.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Last year, a dumpster diver in Hudson, New York, stumbled upon an extraordinary find: An 18th-century pen-and-ink sketch by English portraitist George Romney was hidden amid the rubbish.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There’s a surprising amount of debris still visible along the road, in yards, under decks, against fences and up in trees, but also a river full of massive amounts of unseen junk, some of which residents fear could pose serious hazards — say, to a falling water-skier.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2025
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This comes as Fitch Ratings on Wednesday downgraded the Japanese automaker’s credit rating to BBB- from BB+, which also means junk status. —Lee Ying Shan 23 Hours Ago S&P 500 closes slightly above the flatline The S&P 500 closed Wednesday’s trading session barely in the green.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Torching a car dealership’s Ford F-150 truck brings criminal consequences, including jail.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2025
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Trump is excluding goods subject to separate, 25% national security tariffs, including steel and aluminum, cars, trucks and auto parts.—
David Lawder,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
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