Dregs

The sediment or solid residue that settles at the bottom of a liquid, often considered undesirable or worthless. This can refer to literal physical remnants, like the leftover coffee grounds in a cup, or metaphorical elements representing the least valuable or most unpleasant parts of something. Figuratively, 'dregs' can also be used to describe a low social class or the remnants of a past experience that still linger. The term emphasizes a sense of negativity and something left behind or discarded. It is a plural noun.

Dregs meaning with examples

• After finishing their coffee, they were left with only the dregs at the bottom of the cup. These dark, grainy particles served as a reminder of the morning's caffeine kick. I always find myself looking for something else to do when it comes to the dregs left behind, it's a little less interesting and I am always wanting more.
• The wine bottle was nearly empty, just the dregs remained at the bottom. They swirled the last drops around, hoping to capture the lingering flavor before discarding the glass. It's like everything in this life, the dregs often represent the end and the beginning simultaneously.
• He felt like the dregs of society after the public scandal, shunned and isolated. His reputation was tarnished, leaving him struggling to rebuild his life. After all, this man was once a pillar of his community.
• The aftermath of the riot left behind the dregs of destruction, shattered glass and burnt debris. The city worked hard to clean up, and a year later they seemed to have done it successfully and almost effortlessly.
• The historian sifted through the dregs of ancient manuscripts to uncover forgotten truths. By piecing together these fragmented remains, he hoped to bring a bygone era back to life, and create an accurate account.