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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detritus
The composting bin contains some 250,000 red wiggler worms that feast on the manure of the animals and poultry that live on the farm, and decompose plant detritus, coffee grounds, and table scraps as well.
—
Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
The debris caused flight disruptions, and one piece of detritus struck a vehicle on the island of South Caicos, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Frame has arrived at her scene of longed-for creative apotheosis, and, of course, it is reached among outcasts, during the drift of an unemployed afternoon, by the public water, with the crumpled, argent detritus of casual intoxicants.
—Audrey Wollen, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2025
The detritus of overproduction that lingers on in landfills is part of us, her work suggests, an extension of our physical selves and a monument.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detritus
Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
The debris caused flight disruptions, and one piece of detritus struck a vehicle on the island of South Caicos, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Frame has arrived at her scene of longed-for creative apotheosis, and, of course, it is reached among outcasts, during the drift of an unemployed afternoon, by the public water, with the crumpled, argent detritus of casual intoxicants.
—Audrey Wollen, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2025
The detritus of overproduction that lingers on in landfills is part of us, her work suggests, an extension of our physical selves and a monument.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detritus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detritus
Noun
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Those headed to Asheville can help with debris removal and rebuilding projects through All Hands and Hearts and the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, while Los Angeles visitors can volunteer with L.A. Works to repair homes, assemble food packages and organize clothes for survivors.—
Shoshi Parks,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
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Associated Press video showed the hospital’s caved-in roof surrounded by debris.—
Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Amy Downs, a 28-year-old bank teller at the time of the attack, spent six hours in the rubble of the federal building before being rescued, and the moment marked a transformation in her life.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Firefighters continued to search the rubble and spray hot spots into Thursday morning.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Investigators are continuing to search for wreckage using side-scanning sonar.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Despite its initially violent impact, leading to ocean-churning tsunamis and globe-crossing flying wreckage, this impactor also left behind tremendous opportunity.—
Max Bennett,
Discover Magazine,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detritus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detritus. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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