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vestigial

[ve-stij-ee-uhl, -stij-uhl] / vɛˈstɪdʒ i əl, -ˈstɪdʒ əl /




ADJECTIVE
surviving
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

I’m a heritage or vestigial Catholic, at best.

From Salon ● Apr. 5, 2026

If lawmakers have a vestigial sense of shame, they can apologize to the victims whose information was posted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026

Companies have skimped on dividends amid an epic bull run for stock prices, leaving the S&P 500’s yield of just 1.1% looking like finance’s vestigial tailbone—an evolutionary holdover without a clear purpose.

From Barron's ● Nov. 21, 2025

And still, in this moment, we’re going to have to thank him for respecting the vestigial norms that he did and not being an utter sociopath each and every day.

From Slate ● Mar. 2, 2024

We do see vestigial signs of automobiles in our village, but they resemble the signs of life you would dig up in a graveyard if you were inclined to that pastime.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver




Vocabulary lists containing vestigial


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