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
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Recent Examples of detritus
Howl, an illusive magic-user, takes over the cooking from Sophie, placing bacon in the pan and feeding egg shells to Calcifer, who happily munches away on the detritus.
—
Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
The detritus of those who didn’t make it out littered the prison.
—Lynsey Addario, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2024
New York, like cities all over the world, has spent decades combing through the architectural detritus of industry, salvaging buildings that have outlived their purpose.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024
Finally, there are columns placed outside the gallery filled with the enriched soil from beneath the concrete and the river, all the detritus which is normally taken to the dumps which is being used to create vertical gardens, another possible re-use from the LA river.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detritus 
Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
The detritus of those who didn’t make it out littered the prison.
—Lynsey Addario, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2024
New York, like cities all over the world, has spent decades combing through the architectural detritus of industry, salvaging buildings that have outlived their purpose.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024
Finally, there are columns placed outside the gallery filled with the enriched soil from beneath the concrete and the river, all the detritus which is normally taken to the dumps which is being used to create vertical gardens, another possible re-use from the LA river.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detritus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detritus
Noun
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Inspectors noted that dish racks had deteriorated with significant debris buildup.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacramento Bee,
10 Jan. 2025
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But work at the 30-acre site remains on hold after a demolition mishap last month that spilled debris from a wall into the Chicago River.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tears as Dog Found Alive In Rubble From The Eaton Fire By Alyce Collins Life and Trends Reporter 0 As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to ravage homes and communities, internet users have been reduced to tears by a dog that was found injured in the rubble.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
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But just as important, say trauma veterans and professionals, is the psychological reconstruction — the Herculean challenge of restoring the sense of confidence and hope now also reduced to rubble.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In 1988, Swire’s daughter was one of 270 people killed in the bombing of an American jetliner, Pan Am Flight 103, the wreckage of which crashed in the remote Scottish town of Lockerbie.—
Calum Marsh,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2025
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Instead, audiences are left to gawk at the wreckage.—
Kyndall Cunningham,
Vox,
6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near detritus
Cite this Entry
“Detritus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detritus. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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