1
as in garbage
discarded or useless material
the unsightly debris left after mining operations had ceased
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubble
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
the demolition workers cleared away all of the debris from the demolished building
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debris
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
For the second time in just three months, debris filled the skies over Florida and the Caribbean.
—Edward Woodson, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
During the discussion, which lasted about five hours, Realtors mentioned the negative impact on property values of nearby homes and a mining expert testified that accidents due to fly rock, or debris that is ejected beyond the blast sites, can cause injuries or death.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
The body, which was pulled from the water after being separated from debris from a hurricane, has not yet been identified by authorities.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
For the second time in just three months, debris filled the skies over Florida and the Caribbean.
—Edward Woodson, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
During the discussion, which lasted about five hours, Realtors mentioned the negative impact on property values of nearby homes and a mining expert testified that accidents due to fly rock, or debris that is ejected beyond the blast sites, can cause injuries or death.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
The body, which was pulled from the water after being separated from debris from a hurricane, has not yet been identified by authorities.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris
Noun
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The organization also sampled 25 different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organic compounds that form when oil, wood or garbage burns.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Hazardous waste was being dumped into landfills along with household garbage and was often incinerated, which in turn sent the toxic materials into the atmosphere.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 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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Exposure to silica dust can cause severe lung disease.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Either the kids get discovered now or their dreams may turn to dust.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The team of masons, covered in dust and sweat, had been working in the ruins of the Altadena house for hours when a shout echoed across the wreckage.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2025
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Neighbor John Green found Pickering’s body in the wreckage of a building just across the street from Green’s home.—
TIME,
TIME,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That beat the alternative of having people walk up and down the trails with heavy bags of trash, said Steve Lozano, deputy chief of the Fire-Rescue Department.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
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Videos of the scene show the parking lot riddled with massive piles of trash and one of the campers engulfed in flames.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The site was first excavated beginning in 1995, and in 2018, scientists began collecting, analyzing and radiocarbon dating fossils unearthed from El Gigante rubbish piles.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Last year, a dumpster diver in Hudson, New York, stumbled upon an extraordinary find: An 18th-century pen-and-ink sketch by English portraitist George Romney was hidden amid the rubbish.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This comes as Fitch Ratings on Wednesday downgraded the Japanese automaker’s credit rating to BBB- from BB+, which also means junk status. —Lee Ying Shan 23 Hours Ago S&P 500 closes slightly above the flatline The S&P 500 closed Wednesday’s trading session barely in the green.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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There’s a surprising amount of debris still visible along the road, in yards, under decks, against fences and up in trees, but also a river full of massive amounts of unseen junk, some of which residents fear could pose serious hazards — say, to a falling water-skier.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their cookie and ice cream truck was the real star of the reception.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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