sediment 1 of 2

verb

ˈse-də-ˌment How to pronounce sediment (audio)
Definition of sedimentnext
as in to settle
to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid) the water flowing into the reservoir is sedimenting silt faster than was originally expected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sediment

2 of 2

noun

ˈse-də-mənt How to pronounce sediment (audio)
as in silt
matter that settles to the bottom of a body of liquid the sediment at the bottom of the river needs to be routinely dredged so that it doesn't interfere with barge traffic

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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 sediment
Verb
It’s really sedimented and entangled. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 10 June 2026 The team observed the octopuses launch objects and sediment several body lengths away. — Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2021
Noun
Since very few larger organisms (worms and clams excepted) can live in mud, mud makes an excellent medium for studying past climates by examining the stratified sediments at the bottom of water bodies. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2026 If Lake Powell reaches dead pool, the water in the reservoir would become shallow and warm, causing fish die-offs and algae blooms and becoming filled with sediment. — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sediment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sediment
  1. settle
  2. silt
  3. filter
  4. deposition
  5. deposit
  6. precipitate
Verb
  • On the industry side, Serielizados Pro has settled into its identity as a boutique forum.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Composed of the Hernández brothers (Jorge, Hernán, Eduardo and Luis) and cousin Óscar Lara, Los Tigres Del Norte was founded in the late 1960s in the Sinaloan town of Rosa Morada and settled in San José.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of settle
Noun
  • At a final construction update held near the crossing Thursday, Robert Rock, lead landscape architect and principal designer for the crossing, explained that the soil in the area is rich in clay and silt.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This last characteristic is great for worms and bivalves that vibrate their way through it, but not so great when earthquakes cause silts and clays to slump into landslides.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of silt
Verb
  • Those searches risk filtering out the candidates most likely to bring a perspective your bank lacks.
    — Paul Davis, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Director Dustin Rikert worked efficiently, filming several takes of attendees filtering into the auction.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of filter
Noun
  • This phase of the legal process allows opposing parties to collect information, including records and depositions, with which to make their cases.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The company specializes in etching and deposition, two essential manufacturing processes.
    — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of deposition
Noun
  • Know More Tanzania has large offshore gas resources and deposits of minerals needed for the energy transition and digital infrastructure — such as copper, lithium, and cobalt — as well as precious metals and stones, including gold and diamonds.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Returns from bank deposits and bonds have declined amid tepid borrowing demand.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of deposit
Noun
  • Acid can be used to leach elements like calcium out, then a chemical or energetic process precipitates that calcium as calcium hydroxide.
    — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
  • One such innovative solution is to utilize the natural ability of microbes to precipitate minerals.
    — Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of precipitate

Browse Nearby Words

sedentary
sediment
sedimented
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Cite this Entry

“Sediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sediment. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sediment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sediment

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