DEADWOOD Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

deadwood

noun

ˈded-ˌwu̇d

Definition of deadwood

as in debris

discarded or useless material much of the material in the file cabinets is just deadwood

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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 deadwood When removing any deadwood, cut just above the branch collar. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 18 Jan. 2026 The pyre was probably built by collecting and assembling at least 30 kilograms of deadwood and grass, which would have required considerable community effort. — ArsTechnica, 5 Jan. 2026 Trying to talk sense into him would be useless, however, so a wounded Leroy hands off the dagger to Will and gives him instructions on where to bury it, reasoning that Will and his friends will be able to get to the deadwood without the military spotting them. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025 With Rich's ghostly helping hand, Will, Lilly, Ronnie, and Marge are able to plant the dagger in the deadwood's roots, re-lock the cage, and send It back into one of its 27-year hibernation periods. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deadwood

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadwood

Noun

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle pledged another $8 million to continue clearing debris from south suburban areas affected by the August storms.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
The seemingly never-ending saga in the 600 block of Martel Avenue, just south of Melrose Avenue, came to a head in April 2024, when city crews removed seven tons of trash and debris that attracted rodents and a host of insects.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of debris

Noun

If the brain’s plumbing doesn’t work properly, research shows, cellular garbage accumulates, and a cleaner brain may be a healthier one.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
After the ad went viral on social media, Republican candidate for state school superintendent Sonja Shaw called it creepy, weird garbage.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

Twisted Teens are far from rubbish, but that isn't stopping them from playing in the trash for their latest music video.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.

— Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of rubbish

Noun

Twisted Teens are far from rubbish, but that isn't stopping them from playing in the trash for their latest music video.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
Broken or ruptured baits are ineffective and should be disposed of by using gloves to place the bait in a bag and then into a regular trash bin.

— Eva Flowe October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of trash

Noun

Based on statistical models, the agency estimates there are millions more smaller pieces of space junk circling Earth’s orbit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
This feature is a step down from the Optimizer seen in past years, which also managed free memory, background apps, and other categories of junk files.

— Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of junk

Noun

According to one court filing, walls were streaked with mold and had been left unpainted despite promises for a refresh, and the light fixtures above the table were layered with dust.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
The astronauts were also on the lookout for swarms of lunar dust.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dust

Browse Nearby Words

deadweights

deadwood

deafening

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“Deadwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadwood. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deadwood

noun

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