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

Relevance

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 However, throwing it back over the fence could create another dispute, particularly if doing so amounts to dumping debris on your neighbor’s property. — Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Now, a deeper look suggests a much broader assortment of material from the outside world — silica, metals, soot and other debris — is getting through. — Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026 To prepare for this week’s storms, the Los Angeles Fire Department has augmented resources to help with swift-water rescues and mud and debris flows, with a specific focus on burn scar areas, according to a news release from Mayor Karen Bass. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 While federal scientists have created a national model to assess the likelihood of post-fire debris flows, communities don’t have an easily accessible tool to gauge their risk of post-fire flooding. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debris

Noun

What makes a successful scooper Professional scoopers typically use basic tools like a rake, a dustpan lined with a garbage bag and a garden sprayer to sanitize tools in between jobs.

— Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Pan Yan The substance is integrated into a transparent, medium-sized insert designed to fit onto a garbage bin lid.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

Hours later, a group of rescuers in hard hats were using poles stripped from trees to poke at the huge pile of rubble.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Some opening day effects are long gone, such as the illusion created by actual shifting doors at the start of the attraction, or visions of tumbling rubble near its beginning.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rubble

Noun

There was ample physical evidence for the case against her, including DNA found on a latex glove that was in the same trash bag as Loofe’s remains.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
For example, placing a cardboard box in the trash may normally be acceptable.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of trash

Noun

What remained was wreckage — twisted metal, pieces of the balloon — and the smell of something burned.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
The wreckage of a McLaren 720S involved in a deadly crash that killed two people in Irvine spontaneously ignited and caught fire last week inside a secure facility, Irvine police said in a statement.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of wreckage

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

As an investment-grade company, Oracle can borrow cheaply and with duration, but that would change with a junk rating, said Jamie Meyers, a senior securities analyst at Laffer Tengler, which owns Oracle stock.

— Michelle Fox, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
No one has ever been seriously injured by falling space junk, but there are a few examples of property damage.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of junk

Browse Nearby Words

debriefs

debris

debs

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debris. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of debris

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes