RESIDUE Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

residue

noun

ˈre-zə-ˌdü

Definition of residue

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

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 residue Community science initiatives to collect bat genetic residues have helped research uncover the state's 29th species and understand bat behavior in different locales. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The facility’s tabletop can opener and table holder were found with old residue. — Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 And because nobody washed the dishes before tossing them into the feasting pit, King and his colleagues (in a 2017 study) could analyze the microscopic residue of ancient drinks that had soaked into the ceramic. — ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 Some cleaners can also dull floors or leave a hazy residue on the surface. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for residue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for residue

Noun

Hot rubber, tire debris, or other parts can also land on dry vegetation and ignite it.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
The infamous explosion covered Pompeii and Herculaneum in volcanic debris, immortalizing the final moments of the ancient Roman cities and some of their unfortunate inhabitants in stunning detail.

— Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of debris

Noun

The agreement would provide Warner's daughter with the majority remainder of the Warner Family Trust and estate but remains subject to court approval, Pamela Warner's attorneys said.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Former Stars coach Lorne Donaldson also will rejoin the team as interim director of coaching for remainder of the year.

— Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of remainder

Noun

This seven-year-old girl pulled from the rubble after rescue workers heard her cries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Other than that, he’s never seemed confident that the future will turn out all right, although he’s kept on working out his worries onscreen, forever hunting for flakes of hope in the rubble.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubble

Noun

The search has also been complicated by the location of the wreckage, which lies in water more than 1,600 feet deep.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Southbound lanes of Interstate 65 near Lebanon Junction in Bullitt County remain closed while officials work to clear wreckage from the roadway.

— Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of wreckage

Noun

Dolly's remnants also bringing rain Elsewhere, the hurricane center is keeping an eye on whether the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly could develop again.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Dolly’s remnants are now just a surface trough of low pressure producing a disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms stretching from over portions of Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of remnant

Noun

More than 11 million Jordanians live between the Jordan River, the Red Sea and eastern deserts strewn with ruins.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Surrounding Ain Ebel are the ruins of towns and villages hit by relentless Israeli bombardment, bulldozing and controlled demolitions.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruins

Browse Nearby Words

residuals

residue

residues

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Residue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residue. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of residue

noun

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