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
These microbes metabolize unspent sugars in the mash and the yeast detritus.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Then came another wait to dump their loads — an untold number of incinerated living room sets, teddy bears, running shoes and other detritus, spilling into a final resting place.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
The office is windowless, a little dusty, and filled with knickknacks and junk stacked above head height: an old barber’s chair, paintings, posters, neighborhood detritus.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
The detritus of overproduction that lingers on in landfills is part of us, her work suggests, an extension of our physical selves and a monument.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detritus
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Then came another wait to dump their loads — an untold number of incinerated living room sets, teddy bears, running shoes and other detritus, spilling into a final resting place.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
The office is windowless, a little dusty, and filled with knickknacks and junk stacked above head height: an old barber’s chair, paintings, posters, neighborhood detritus.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
The detritus of overproduction that lingers on in landfills is part of us, her work suggests, an extension of our physical selves and a monument.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detritus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detritus
Noun
-
Fortunately, the lighter rainfall levels have decreased the risk of a debris flow taking place in the Eaton and Palisades fire burn scars, a possibility forecasters warned of Monday.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
-
Remove brush and debris piles from around the home.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2025
Noun
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How '9-1-1' moves on after Bobby's death: Tears, anger, and surprise returns Angela Bassett thought her '9-1-1' character would be killed off In the laundry room, Athena finds Donnie and Graham trapped under rubble.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
-
Neighbor Derek Keating ran into the home and attempted to rescue his neighbor, who was trapped under the rubble as gas was leaking.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Sparks fly from the wreckage like shooting stars falling from heaven.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
20 May 2025
-
Kyffin Simpson flipped over during Fast Friday, with Colton Herta went airborne during Saturday's qualifying. 2025 INDY 500 ODDS: KYLE LARSON DROPS ON BOARD AFTER QUALIFYING 21ST McLaughlin was able to emerge from the wreckage and appeared to avoid any major injuries.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detritus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detritus. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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