1
as in remainder
an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value
that doormat is just a leftover from when the new carpet was installed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rest
leftovers plural
a remaining group or portion
take as many of these calendars as you want, and put the leftovers back on the shelf
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in residual
still existing or present after other parts are used or removed
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover rice.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leftover
Medora Lee, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Most sinks are full of bacteria that will happily colonize in leftover food and water.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Plant Early Got leftover bulbs from fall?
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leftover
Noun
Some leftover 529 money can also be rolled later into a Roth IRA for tax-free growth.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Most sinks are full of bacteria that will happily colonize in leftover food and water.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Adjective
Scrape Away Leftover Food Use a rubber spatula or paper towel to remove leftover food from the dishes and cookware.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Plant Early Got leftover bulbs from fall?
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leftover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leftover
Noun
-
Perhaps even a rag-tag group of remainders can put a scare into San Antonio.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
-
The best-case scenario would be for the Lakers’ remainders to extend the best-of-seven series with the Rockets long enough for Doncic and Reaves to rejoin LeBron James in that Big Three, either at the end of this series or the start of the next one.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It’s not calculated to put anxious writers’ minds at rest—most of us already live in fear that our flimsy characters will be exposed through our work.—
David O’Neill,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
Instead of eating it immediately after preparing it, letting bean salad rest in the refrigerator allows the flavors to deepen and develop.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
While hygiene requirements restrict reuse of some textiles in hospitality and healthcare settings, Reconomy suggested introducing clearer sorting and decision rules at end-of-life that enable higher-value recycling routes rather than default rag or residual waste streams.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
-
The residual 1 percent now operates at machine speed against an agent with wallet access.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Just behind the cineplex and beyond the route of the busway, are 34 acres once occupied by a scrap metal yard acquired by the city in a foreclosure in 2021.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
The wastepaper baskets were filled with real scraps of newspaper.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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However, spending per remaining client rose 5%, indicating that clients who remain are willing to pay more for skilled, experienced freelancers.—
Chelsea Tobin,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
This allowed remaining crew to swim directly toward it and maximize their time inside.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Roofing and storm damage Charlotte is exposed to severe thunderstorms, hail and occasional remnants from hurricanes that push inland from the coast.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
-
At least 50 tropical storms or hurricane remnants have either affected or moved over California and Arizona, including storms that fell apart offshore and remnants of storms that moved north after making landfall somewhere to the south along the Baja California Peninsula.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leftover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leftover. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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