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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detritus
And yet the system’s detritus litters every corner of these public lands.
—
James Pogue, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
In these paintings, there are models and their representations, canvases leaning against walls, reference images and artistic detritus strewn about.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 19 Feb. 2025
The debris caused flight disruptions, and one piece of detritus struck a vehicle on the island of South Caicos, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Sports journalists can collect a lot of detritus: old ID cards, press credentials to get into big games, phones that stop working or become obsolete.
—Victor Mather, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detritus
James Pogue, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
In these paintings, there are models and their representations, canvases leaning against walls, reference images and artistic detritus strewn about.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 19 Feb. 2025
The debris caused flight disruptions, and one piece of detritus struck a vehicle on the island of South Caicos, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Sports journalists can collect a lot of detritus: old ID cards, press credentials to get into big games, phones that stop working or become obsolete.
—Victor Mather, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detritus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detritus
Noun
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Those headed to Asheville can help with debris removal and rebuilding projects through All Hands and Hearts and the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, while Los Angeles visitors can volunteer with L.A. Works to repair homes, assemble food packages and organize clothes for survivors.—
Shoshi Parks,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
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Associated Press video showed the hospital’s caved-in roof surrounded by debris.—
Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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At least two of the dead were construction workers who were killed by falling rubble or debris, rescue worker Songwut Wangpon told reporters.—
David Rising,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
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So far, federal cleanup crews have cleared ash and rubble from more than 860 properties, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Investigators are continuing to search for wreckage using side-scanning sonar.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Despite its initially violent impact, leading to ocean-churning tsunamis and globe-crossing flying wreckage, this impactor also left behind tremendous opportunity.—
Max Bennett,
Discover Magazine,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detritus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detritus. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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