1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of residue
Over time, grease, food residue, and moisture can accumulate in the fabric, leading to stains, odors, and even bacterial growth.
—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
28 June 2026
Mineral buildup inside the ice-making system or residue in the ice bin can also contribute to unpleasant flavors, Angelesco says.
—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
27 June 2026
Starch residue found on 30,000-year-old grinding stones indicates that Paleolithic peoples may have eaten bread.
—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
One can call them residue and move along.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for residue
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
28 June 2026
Mineral buildup inside the ice-making system or residue in the ice bin can also contribute to unpleasant flavors, Angelesco says.
—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
27 June 2026
Starch residue found on 30,000-year-old grinding stones indicates that Paleolithic peoples may have eaten bread.
—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
One can call them residue and move along.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for residue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residue
Noun
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Rodríguez denied those claims, saying some remote areas were difficult to reach because roads were blocked by landslides and debris, forcing authorities to rely on motorcycles, drones and satellite imagery.
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Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
Noun
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Buckle up for a newsy remainder of the term.
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Perhaps even a rag-tag group of remainders can put a scare into San Antonio.
Noun
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And, as the country and its people begin to piece together the full toll of the destruction amid the rubble, the notion of playing baseball seems absurd in the wake of such tragedy.
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Residential buildings were badly damaged in the assault, leaving people trapped in multi-story apartment blocks and an entire family that was killed pulled from the rubble, while cars were seen burning on city streets.
Noun
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To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
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Increasingly, however, many are embracing a different definition—one that includes rest, healing, preventative care, joy, and self-investment.
Noun
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Reaching the wreckage proved difficult as emergency workers, backed by paramilitary forces, climbed down a steep mountainside to the ravine up to 25 meters (80 feet) deep.
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According to the operator, the pilot used a small clipboard to record load notes and fuel calculations, but that clipboard was not found in the wreckage, investigators said.
Noun
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In addition to remnants of textile production, the Søften dig turned up silver scraps, coins and pearls that testify to trade and economic activity in the region.
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In what is now the desert Southwest, Velarde was born among the remnants of the Spanish empire and lived under the flags of Mexico and Texas; briefly, the Confederacy, though his family opposed it; and finally, under the stars and stripes of the United States of America.
Noun
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As a reminder, the Mission San Juan Capistrano tour ends at the ruins of what’s now called the Great Stone Church, which collapsed in an 1812 earthquake that killed 40 Acjachemen worshippers.
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The engineer flew in from Tampa to try and find her mother, sister, brother-in-law and nephew in the ruins of their nine-story apartment building, sleeping on the ground since arriving two nights ago.
Cite this Entry
“Residue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residue. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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