deadwood

noun

ˈded-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce deadwood (audio)
Definition of deadwoodnext
as in debris
discarded or useless material much of the material in the file cabinets is just deadwood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The wild mushrooms enjoy a symbiotic relationship with deadwood. — Midwest Living, 3 Apr. 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
  1. debris
  2. garbage
  3. rubbish
  4. trash
  5. junk
  6. dust
Noun
  • Rodríguez denied those claims, saying some remote areas were difficult to reach because roads were blocked by landslides and debris, forcing authorities to rely on motorcycles, drones and satellite imagery.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of debris
Noun
  • Decomposing food can release hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas synonymous with landfills and garbage.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Epidemics, worsened by the unsanitary conditions caused by the mountains of garbage the government has stopped collecting, combine with the shortage of medicines and the dire state of medical facilities.
    — Sarah Moreno July 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
  • So where does the rubbish come from?
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • Authorities confirmed the match after obtaining his DNA from trash.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Sugary drinks, greasy grill residue, dropped crumbs and overflowing trash are all fair game.
    — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of trash
Noun
  • President Biden even devoted a sizable chunk of his 2024 State of the Union Address to his administration's campaign against junk fees.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 7 July 2026
  • With less drag, space junk can remain in orbit longer, increasing the risk of collisions.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
Definition of junk
Noun
  • The Aspiron Canister Vacuum is designed with a powerful brushless motor, three-stage filtration system, and large dust cup that keeps shoppers from having to constantly empty it.
    — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • The dust has not quite settled on one of this season’s blockbuster trades during NBA free agency.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of dust

Browse Nearby Words

deadweights
deadwood
deafening
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Cite this Entry

“Deadwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadwood. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deadwood

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