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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The new study analyzed over 60 sediment samples collected deep within the CCFZ by the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 Site conditions—including wave energy, sediment type, and erosion—help determine which approach is most likely to work in that particular location. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 14 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
  • Earlier this month, Minnesota Vikings fans who’d settled in for the team’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins were surprised to see a Paxton ad show up during one of the in-game breaks.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Does not America offer any inducement for men to settle here?
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of settle
Noun
  • Neeley said the floodwaters were receding but left mud and silt, much of which has been contaminated with sewage because of failures at waste plants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of silt
Verb
  • Beirut's private-press scene has little in common with the studio culture of ’80s Tokyo, where an abundance of resources and technology filtered the same foreign influences into something more perfect and polished.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Inside Clarify Clinic’s proprietary centrifuge machine, which is designed to filter contaminants out of human blood.
    — Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of filter
Noun
  • The judge denied the request but told both sides to complete the deposition soon.
    — Zoey Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Using layer-by-layer atomic deposition, professors Seongshik Oh, Hee Taek Yi, and their colleagues created flawless crystalline films just 40 nanometers thick—roughly a thousand times thinner than a human hair.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of deposition
Noun
  • Its champions, branded Baptists for their emphasis on beta-amyloid deposits, marshalled plenty of supporting evidence.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • However, the benefit must generally be purchased within 20 days of the initial trip deposit, and other conditions apply.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 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 3 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sediment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sediment

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