1
as in residue
a remaining group or portion
They tested for chemical residuals in the water.
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2
as in reminder
a lingering indication of something from the past
Some modern traditions are residuals of ancient beliefs and rituals.
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as in lingering
still existing or happening after something is completed or removed
The oven was still warm with residual heat. The area is still dealing with the residual effects of the flood.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of residual
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
This includes any residuals and royalty income from Lego Masters, Eric’s Just Jack and Will podcast, Murdoch Mysteries, Slasher, Will & Grace, Atypical, The Architect, American Dad!, Law & Order: SVU, Dead, Break a Leg!, Dead Like Me and several others.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Stepheny Price , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Noun
The negotiations will be the first since the writers and actors strikes of 2023, and will likely revisit the concerns that animated those stoppages, such as AI and residuals on streaming platforms.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
This includes any residuals and royalty income from Lego Masters, Eric’s Just Jack and Will podcast, Murdoch Mysteries, Slasher, Will & Grace, Atypical, The Architect, American Dad!, Law & Order: SVU, Dead, Break a Leg!, Dead Like Me and several others.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Patel said investigators recovered the footage using residual data from backend systems after recording devices at Guthrie’s home were removed or rendered inaccessible.
—Stepheny Price , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residual
Noun
-
The stories collected in In the Shadow of the Holocaust insist that destruction leaves residues that often cannot be transformed into lessons or triumphs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
If there’s very little food residue in the wash, the chemistry can shift from ‘breaking down grime’ to ‘floating around in the water with nothing useful to do.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Early in the show, amid scenery that referenced plantations and colonialism, dancers dangled from utility lines in a reminder of the island’s fragile power grid.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The announcement also included a reminder that the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the recovery of Guthrie.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
As more and more satellite megaconstellations continue to be launched into Earth orbit, some researchers are beginning to calculate the chances that people on the surface could be struck by the incoming remnants of these spacecraft reentering the atmosphere.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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The stellar remnant will contract to form a white dwarf, and while the planetary nebula will fade after perhaps 20,000 years, the white dwarf will continue to shine for many trillions of years before fading out.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Darrell English, who leads the union for TSA agents in Illinois and Wisconsin, said the toll of multiple shutdowns could have lasting effects for the agency to retain workers.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Shorter winters disrupt recreation and can have lasting impacts on lake ecosystems, agriculture and public health.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Both are refractive, cross-cultural, still-thriving artifacts of the 1960s and ’70s.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Each one is an artifact of her toxic relationship with her town.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residual. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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