1
as in residue
a remaining group or portion
They tested for chemical residuals in the water.
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2
as in reminder
a lingering indication of something from the past
Some modern traditions are residuals of ancient beliefs and rituals.
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as in lingering
still existing or happening after something is completed or removed
The oven was still warm with residual heat. The area is still dealing with the residual effects of the flood.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of residual
Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Looking deeper, this is a team still fighting the residual of a trade deadline that saw second-year guard Jared McCain dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Adam Charles Simon, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
For tonight into Tuesday morning, there is potential for residual moisture on area roadways to freeze into black ice and result in slick spots.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Noun
Studios traditionally have offered upfront fees and residuals based upon a film’s or TV show’s earnings—sustaining payments that sometimes continue for years, based on its success.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Looking deeper, this is a team still fighting the residual of a trade deadline that saw second-year guard Jared McCain dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
To meet that additional need, more mines will need to be opened, and extra production developed – including extracting residual copper from old mine debris that was previously viewed as having too little copper to be worth processing.
—Adam Charles Simon, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
For tonight into Tuesday morning, there is potential for residual moisture on area roadways to freeze into black ice and result in slick spots.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for residual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residual
Noun
-
Once dry, there’s no crunch or residue—the weightless foam gives hair instant texture and body, adding bounce and lift to each strand.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The residue on my fingers might set off bomb detectors at security.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the injury also represented a timely reminder for Olsson.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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For many viewers, the dog’s reaction felt like a reminder that rescue animals arrive with histories—habits, memories, and sensory associations formed long before adoption.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Thomas missed 57 games last season, mostly because of the same lingering left hamstring issue.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
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On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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On March 6, Ecuadoran armed forces returned, this time to bomb the remnants of Miguel's property, captured in a video shared by the Department of War.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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The farm buildings on the property—long verandas, shearing sheds, and concrete kennels—are old and decayed, remnants from long before the group showed up.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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An existential crisis for TSA Months of turmoil and funding whiplash may have lasting effects on TSA’s ability to recruit and retain workers, McNeill told lawmakers this week.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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Her kindness and devotion to others left a lasting impact.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Alongside the University of Warsaw archaeologists, conservationists are working tirelessly to preserve and restore these paintings and artifacts.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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The finding suggests these remains may have once been part of a private collection — artifacts or human specimens gathered abroad and brought into the United States at some earlier point in history.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residual. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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