as in debris
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
the dispirited family picked through the flotsam of their possessions after the hurricane, looking for anything that could be salvaged
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 flotsam
The strain of slop on Medium tends toward the banal, especially compared with the dadaist flotsam clogging Facebook.
—
Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 28 Oct. 2024
Federal officials and experts are warning that the winds and floodwaters from Helene that wrecked the Southeast carry unscrupulous fraudsters amid the flotsam.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024
The flotsam of the internet is childish, ridiculous and, consequently, easy to underestimate.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 10 July 2024
Full of the flotsam and jetsam of everyday affairs.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for flotsam 
Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 28 Oct. 2024
Federal officials and experts are warning that the winds and floodwaters from Helene that wrecked the Southeast carry unscrupulous fraudsters amid the flotsam.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024
The flotsam of the internet is childish, ridiculous and, consequently, easy to underestimate.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 10 July 2024
Full of the flotsam and jetsam of everyday affairs.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for flotsam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flotsam
Noun
-
In Southern California, intense rainfall triggered large debris flows, making several streets impassable, including Mulholland Drive in Santa Monica and several roads in the Palisades.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Rubber toe caps are an integral part of the safety features of these shoes, while ultra-durable heel collars also promise to keep your feet in place while keeping debris out.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Yet while millions of Syrians, Ukrainians, Sudanese, and Afghans were accepted by the international community and resettled, Gazans have been expected to build new lives amid the rubble.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Editors’ Picks Thousands set out on foot back to northern Gaza, picking their way through mounds of rubble and debris.—
Zolan Kanno-Youngs,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The analysis comes about a week after the NTSB, along with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, lifted much of the Black Hawk and other large portions of wreckage from the river.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The Coast Guard deployed two vessels to safeguard the Growler wreckage in the San Diego Harbor, Sappey said.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near flotsam
Cite this Entry
“Flotsam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flotsam. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share