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benthic

adjective

Definition of benthicnext
as in pelagic

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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 benthic Since nurse sharks are a benthic species, their position in the water column may partially shield them from urban light, although not entirely. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 Mar. 2026 According to the study authors, these changes can be tied to stagnation and decline in the ocean’s biodiversity, particularly among benthic animals, or animals associated with the bottom of the sea, such as corals, crustaceans, and brachiopods. — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2025 Depositing the fleet of six benthic landers into the gulf has been an expensive and thorny process. — Robin Catalano, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2024 Many benthic animals overcome these limitations using legged locomotion and have different hydrodynamic profiles dictated by different body morphologies. — IEEE Spectrum, 15 Nov. 2019 See All Example Sentences for benthic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benthic
  1. pelagic
  2. marine
  3. deep-sea
  4. deepwater
  5. oceanographic
Adjective
  • His winning series was captured in the waters of Anilao, Philippines, where pelagic and larval marine life migrate from the depths each night to feed under the cover of darkness.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Researchers also encountered glass squid and spotted a pelagic octopus feeding on a bright red jellyfish.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Definition of pelagic
Adjective
  • Anyone who encounters a dead or stranded marine mammal is urged to leave the animal alone and immediately report the sighting to local wildlife authorities or the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The former trainer has seen the world’s marine parks and the laws that govern them change for the better since starting Dolphin Project decades ago, but the fight isn’t over for him or his son.
    — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of marine
Adjective
  • Book a charter boat for crabbing, deep-sea fishing, or whale watching.
    — Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Project leader Distinguished Professor Ma Qian said the next steps include making larger demonstration parts and evaluating long-term performance under realistic marine and deep-sea conditions.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of deep-sea
Adjective
  • According to Hapag-Lloyd, the average waiting time for Gemini Cooperation services calling at Shanghai’s Yangshan deepwater port is approximately five to six days, and seven to eight days for non-Gemini services.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Transocean — Shares rose 2% after the offshore drilling service contractor signed a $300 million , two-year contract for an ultra-deepwater drillship with ONGC of India, with options out to 2031.
    — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepwater
Adjective
  • Commissioned by the Ocean University of China in 1996, the Dong Fang Hong 2 is one of China’s most important comprehensive oceanographic research vessels, according to Baike.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Plans have yet to be finalized for the largest of the buildings, which formerly housed the plant’s gigantic boilers, but options include classrooms, an indoor play space or an oceanographic institute, according to the project’s designers.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of oceanographic

Browse Nearby Words

bent
benthic
bent (on or upon)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Benthic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benthic. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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