as in debris
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
the expanse of tree stumps represented the detritus of a vast forest that had been mercilessly clear-cut
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Recent Examples of detritus
Its casual placement and realistic appearance, which the artist achieved by painstakingly detailing each can in acrylic paint, were meant to evoke detritus left behind during construction, and this is exactly how it was treated by a visiting elevator mechanic, who binned the crumpled containers.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 9 Oct. 2024
The elegiac sweep involves the clearing away of detritus.
—Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Opening on Valentine’s Day, Jacqueline Sullivan’s new show is all about cups: as cherished wedding gifts, antiques sitting in your grandmother’s curio cabinet, detritus at the garage sale, and collectibles reinvented by contemporary artists.
—Morgan Meier, Curbed, 12 Feb. 2025
Much of The Return is spent sorting through the detritus of Laura’s case: a resolute look backwards that ultimately points the series toward some uncertain future.
—K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detritus
News Desk, Artforum, 9 Oct. 2024
The elegiac sweep involves the clearing away of detritus.
—Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Opening on Valentine’s Day, Jacqueline Sullivan’s new show is all about cups: as cherished wedding gifts, antiques sitting in your grandmother’s curio cabinet, detritus at the garage sale, and collectibles reinvented by contemporary artists.
—Morgan Meier, Curbed, 12 Feb. 2025
Much of The Return is spent sorting through the detritus of Laura’s case: a resolute look backwards that ultimately points the series toward some uncertain future.
—K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detritus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detritus
Noun
-
Even if the garage door is open, don't start a vehicle if the garage is attached to a home. Furnace and fireplaces: Keep fireplaces clean and in good condition, make sure no debris is blocking the vents or chimney.—
Sara Moniuszko,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Residents who live near local landfills say the wildfire debris should be sent to hazardous waste landfills instead.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Command centers and weapons storage facilities, once the backbone of its operational capabilities, have been reduced to rubble.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Those that have returned have been shocked by the devastation: their houses and belongings were mostly reduced to rubble and the signs of a humanitarian crisis are apparent on every corner.—
Camilla Alcini,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Modern international law emerged from the wreckage of world wars.—
Gyunduz Mamedov,
TIME,
24 Feb. 2025
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Jennifer shared photos of the helicopter wreckage as well as her husband in the hospital.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detritus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detritus. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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