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
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 3 July 2025
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs found in December that Grint established a company to sell his rights to residuals from the Harry Potter films to in order to claim over £4 million in earnings as a capital asset rather than income.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2025
While the cooked lamb is resting, use the residual fat in the pan to cook a fresh, sturdy vegetable — in this case, hunks of zucchini.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for residual
Noun
Lawmakers characterized the money set aside as residuals from pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act grants.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 3 July 2025
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs found in December that Grint established a company to sell his rights to residuals from the Harry Potter films to in order to claim over £4 million in earnings as a capital asset rather than income.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
In certain circumstances, the residual melt (parent magma of CE6) from the source magma flowed up to the lunar surface, forming the rocks of CE6 mare basalt.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2025
While the cooked lamb is resting, use the residual fat in the pan to cook a fresh, sturdy vegetable — in this case, hunks of zucchini.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for residual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residual
Noun
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Give a final clean water wipe down with your cloth or sponge to remove any cleaning residue.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
21 July 2025
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Despite this, some experts advise against rawhide because of the risks of choking, digestive obstructions and in some cases toxic chemical residue and bacteria.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Noun
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As reported, Demna’s first show for the Italian brand will be next March, with his September presentation more of a reminder of Gucci’s foundations.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
31 July 2025
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Its body was a reminder of what can happen when straying from the paths, Mike Poland, the scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory with the U.S. Geological Survey, told USA TODAY at the time.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Noun
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For context, massive flooding in New York City was caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021).—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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The remnants of an ancient community face a new age of anxiety after decades of uneasy coexistence with the mullahs’ regime.—
Roya Hakakian,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The study suggests that using HRT taken for more than 10 years provides the most lasting protection against fractures, even after stopping therapy.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Flow Space,
31 July 2025
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Below, 20 members of Forbes Agency Council share what authenticity really means in 2025, exploring how brands can embody it in practical and lasting ways.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Vendors will offer beads, minerals, gemstones, custom jewelry, fossils, artifacts, and metaphysical stones.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 July 2025
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Wednesday’s feature pictured the outside of the Penrod Museum, established by John and Virginia Penrod to display their 40 years of collecting artifacts from all over the world.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residual. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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