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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Recent Examples of detritus
Airstrikes there transformed large parts of the area into a seemingly endless stretch of rubble and detritus.
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Allegra Goodwin and Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024
This week, the streets of many towns have become consumed with mud, tree branches, and detritus from local stores.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
Larger bits of detritus, like empty potting soil bags, can be thrown in the trash, while bits of cotton twine and other biodegradable items can be composted.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024
Photos pinned to Google Maps from years past show this bridge as a dark round tunnel, slick from mud and moisture, with clumps of unidentifiable detritus scattered along its length.
—Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detritus 
Allegra Goodwin and Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024
This week, the streets of many towns have become consumed with mud, tree branches, and detritus from local stores.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
Larger bits of detritus, like empty potting soil bags, can be thrown in the trash, while bits of cotton twine and other biodegradable items can be composted.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024
Photos pinned to Google Maps from years past show this bridge as a dark round tunnel, slick from mud and moisture, with clumps of unidentifiable detritus scattered along its length.
—Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detritus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detritus
Noun
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Geminid meteors are caused by dust and debris left in the inner solar system, not by a comet — as is usually the case for meteor showers — but by an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon, which hurtles through the solar system every 18 months.Jamie Carter, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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By late 2024, the agency distributed more than $1.2 billion in direct assistance to survivors of the Helene and Milton hurricanes, with another $1.1 billion allocated for debris removal and other measures.Micheline Maynard, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Rescuers pulled 10 bodies from the rubble, including two parents and their two children, the service confirmed.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
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Over 105,000 people have been wounded, and thousands remain under rubble, the ministry said in a statement.NBC News, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Otherwise, the familial wreckage Leonard caused is unconscionable, but sadly not that uncommon — and also not that impactful with the gentle acoustic-guitar score continually making apologies on his behalf.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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But he's left a trail of wreckage along the the way.Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near detritus
Cite this Entry
“Detritus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detritus. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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