DEBRIS Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

debris

noun

də-ˈbrē

Definition of debris

as in garbage

discarded or useless material the unsightly debris left after mining operations had ceased

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rubble

the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed the demolition workers cleared away all of the debris from the demolished building

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 debris This jagged microscopic debris, easily dispersed by meteorite impacts and rocket exhaust, is corrosive, abrasive and adhesive. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 Rain rates are probably going to be a quarter of inch per hour or less, making debris flow and landslides unlikely. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 These peaks arose because the debris from Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is concentrated near the comet. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Stronger hurricane-force winds can destroy homes and buildings and send debris flying. — Dylan Moriarty, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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

Two women in Zaporizhzhia died when they were trapped beneath the rubble of their home, Zaporizhzhia’s regional military administration said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Rescue crews with a sniffer dog were searching the rubble for potentially missing people, the fire department said.

— Lefteris Pitarakis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of rubble

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

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

Noun

Archaeologists and historians tell their stories from the ambition and ingenuity that made them, to the conflict and catastrophe that transformed them into the ruins of today.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Gaza lies in ruins, with more than 74,000 Palestinians reported killed, yet many Israelis say the world overlooks their losses and rarely hear Palestinian voices.

— Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruins

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

debriefs

debris

debs

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Style

“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of debris

noun

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