vestigial

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.

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

Look closely and you’ll see vestigial seeds dotting the surface like radiant drops of citrine, lending the tomato an air of something treasured, preserved.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 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

Early programming before becoming self-aware plagues me like a vestigial tail.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman