DEBRIS Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

debris

noun

də-ˈbrē

Definition of debris

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

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

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 debris Cities, airports, military bases, energy facilities and other infrastructure have been targeted, while debris from intercepted weapons can also pose a danger to people on the ground. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Protesters clashed with police, blocked roads with burning tires and other debris, and damaged public buildings, according to local reports. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle pledged another $8 million to continue clearing debris from south suburban areas affected by the August storms. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026 The seemingly never-ending saga in the 600 block of Martel Avenue, just south of Melrose Avenue, came to a head in April 2024, when city crews removed seven tons of trash and debris that attracted rodents and a host of insects. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris

Noun

Prosecutors said Aurora was one of seven children, ages 2 months to 17 years, who lived in an east San José house on Lancelot Lane that was filled with cockroaches, pet feces, garbage and mold.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Clean your car full of garbage elsewhere and don’t hold up a line of customers.

— Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

Hours after the collapse in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, emergency services spokesperson Bilal Faizi said that everyone trapped beneath the rubble had been pulled out and crews had cleared debris.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Hours after the collapse in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, emergency services spokesperson Bilal Faizi said everyone trapped beneath the rubble had been pulled out and crews had cleared debris.

— Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubble

Noun

Officers in riot gear clashed with youths who set up street barricades using burning trash bins.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
In another demonstration, Argon helped a Boston Dynamics Spot robot practice opening a foot-pedal trash bin in simulation before attempting the task with physical objects.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of trash

Noun

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department divers found Romero’s body in the helicopter wreckage, some 218 feet below, a day later.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
One contractor reported hearing rumors of underwater wreckage — while another claimed to have personally spotted wreckage while conducting survey work at the site.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of wreckage

Noun

And even for those who are holding down jobs, raises and promotions have become like gold dust.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
Biddy covered most of the journey on foot—the equivalent of about six million steps—herding animals at the rear of her owner’s wagon company and choking her way through a moving screen of dust kicked up by the migrant caravan.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dust

Noun

Gaza was reduced to ruins, and its people were trapped in a cycle of loss and suffering, as the conflict continued to rage.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
This chapter is accompanied by somewhat twee images of an owl doll, a bottle of designer perfume, a high heel, and a golden microphone positioned against various ancient Greek ruins, including the Parthenon and the Monument of the Eponymous Heroes.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruins

Noun

Twisted Teens are far from rubbish, but that isn't stopping them from playing in the trash for their latest music video.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.

— Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of rubbish

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debriefs

debris

debs

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“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of debris

noun

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