vestige

noun

ˈve-stij How to pronounce vestige (audio)
Definition of vestigenext
1
as in relic
a tiny often physical indication of something lost or vanished a few strange words carved on a tree were the only vestige of the lost colony of Roanoke

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in footstep
the mark or impression made by a foot the fossilized vestige of a dinosaur that traversed that muddy landscape millions of years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vestige distinct from other similar nouns?

The words trace and track are common synonyms of vestige. While all three words mean "a perceptible sign made by something that has passed," vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone.

boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age

When could trace be used to replace vestige?

In some situations, the words trace and vestige are roughly equivalent. However, trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect.

the killer left no traces

Where would track be a reasonable alternative to vestige?

While the synonyms track and vestige are close in meaning, track implies a continuous line that can be followed.

the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs

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 vestige Again, this is a sort of vestige of the Venetians, and [a result of] our being put on the spice trail by the Venetians. — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026 All that can be seen of the building now is the vestiges of its foundations. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 These beautiful, intrepid, witty and irrepressible young women and men are living witnesses to the destruction of the last vestiges of the dream of freedom of expression in Russia. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 As with many vestiges of the past, this myth is both a blessing and a curse. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vestige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vestige
  1. relic
  2. footstep
  3. trace
  4. footprint
  5. remnant
Noun
  • New York — Down a dim, crooked hallway inside the Jay Street Lofts, a hulking brick relic of Brooklyn’s industrial past, Naomi Mishkin is conducting a radical fashion experiment.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Few would bother to think about the two-state solution, viewing the idea as a relic from the overly optimistic 1990s.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of relic
Noun
  • Maria was also, evidently, happy to advise those who wanted to follow in her footsteps.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Following in his brother’s footsteps, Wayne led Smyrna High to a state 3A title game and earned his third consecutive All-State selection in his senior season.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of footstep
Noun
  • Two new clades of the virus, SHAV-EU1 and SHAV-EU2, were detected earlier this year, and genetic testing revealed traces of the first type in the deceased person’s cerebrospinal fluid, urine and saliva, among other samples.
    — Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The investigation remains active and ongoing, noting that additional arrests are possible as detectives continue to review physical evidence, trace leads and establish the full sequence of events.
    — Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of trace
Noun
  • With Russia and China increasing their footprint and ambition, the Arctic has become a front line of global power competition.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Its footprint would span 1,650 acres—more than 1,000 football fields.
    — Ryan Green, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of footprint
Noun
  • That remnant has now yielded direct physical evidence that ice sheets might have reversed their retreat and started to grow again thousands of years ago.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The coastal flooding in the next few days is expected to be different from earlier rounds, which were heavily influenced by powerful swells from the remnants of hurricanes Marie and Rachel.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of remnant

Browse Nearby Words

vestibules
vestige
vestiges
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Cite this Entry

“Vestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vestige. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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