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as in debris
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed the detective noticed an ashy residue in the sink and deduced that a piece of paper had been burned there

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of residue His great-grandfather founded a sugar-making business in 1932, then branched into sugar machinery in 1961 and steam turbines in 1968, which at first were powered by bagasse, the residue from crushing cane stalks. Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 Unlike other formulas, my edges held firm with no sign of flakes or residue, even on warmer days. Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 31 July 2025 Old food residue was found on equipment and some coolers weren’t holding food at a safe temperature. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2025 Coarse salt works as a natural abrasive that gently pulls away stuck-on food, surface stains, and residue without damaging your cutting board or leaving behind any harmful residues. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for residue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for residue
Noun
  • On the morning of Aug. 13, a three-person city crew equipped with a skid steer, a dump truck, shovels and rakes was making its way up North 19th Street, picking up pile after pile of debris sitting outside homes.
    Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • That said, while a bit of debris escaped after powering down, the vacuum still delivered from start to finish.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • With Gordon out of the game, the Boston bats went quickly and quietly for nearly the entire remainder of the game.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
  • For those who are charitably inclined, the after-tax amount of a traditional IRA distribution can generate lifetime income when it is used to fund a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • File photo: Ukrainian rescue workers survey the rubble of a residential building hit during a Russian overnight drone and missile strike in Kyiv, Ukraine on June 23, 2025.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
  • So there is no way to look at the rubble in Gaza and the death toll estimates and offer a mathematical proof that Israel is failing to exercise adequate restraint.
    Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Surviving on edge-of-starvation rations, the broken equipment bought them necessary hours of life-saving rest.
    Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Look for office chairs with adjustable features, including an adjustable chair height, neck rest, lumbar support, seat tilt, seat slide and mobile armrests.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Creating the aftermath of Maginot’s wreckage in Prodigy City was another feat.
    Daron James, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Five other people, all in a third vehicle, were hospitalized with minor injuries and the fourth driver walked away from the wreckage and was treated at the scene.
    Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • These same groups later carried out many of the grisly sectarian massacres of Alawite civilians along Syria’s coastal Latakia province in March, which killed at least 1,479, mostly civilians, following attacks by remnants of the former Assad regime.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • In the summer of 2025, the Trumps swapped out one of the major remnants of the Kennedys' influence: the central lawn.
    Kyler Alvord, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Residue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/residue. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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