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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
The team observed the octopuses launch objects and sediment several body lengths away.
—Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2021
Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
If left unmaintained, vacant lots can contribute to water pollution through stormwater runoff carrying pollutants like sediment and debris, and often became invaded by non-native plant species, which can displace native vegetation and disrupt ecosystems.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sediment
Verb
The exploration data collected to-date indicates that previous historical open pit heap leaching operations did not advance their plans to develop attractive, wide, shallow gold-silver mineralization hosted in major structural zones in the Bisbee Group sediments west of the Contention Pit.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
The team observed the octopuses launch objects and sediment several body lengths away.
—Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2021
Noun
Waves also impact life on land, tossing sediment onto shore that eventually becomes beaches and dunes where shorebirds and other wildlife find refuge.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
If left unmaintained, vacant lots can contribute to water pollution through stormwater runoff carrying pollutants like sediment and debris, and often became invaded by non-native plant species, which can displace native vegetation and disrupt ecosystems.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sediment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sediment
Verb
-
In June, Khoury rejected an offer from Honda to settle his case for $1,000, saying that replacing the minivan’s tires around every 25,000 miles would cost much more than that.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
-
The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Without the seasonal delivery of silt, the floodplains of Assam and Bangladesh will lose their natural fertility.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
-
Crews will remove debris and hundreds of sandbags, wash surfaces and remove silt or mud up to several inches thick.—
Bebe Hodges,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Excess protein is filtered out through the kidneys.—
Christina Manian,
Health,
14 July 2025
-
The light filters the green and brown forest into a Miyazaki film.—
Rebecca Chace
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The dismissal comes one day before Lively's deposition, which will take place in an undisclosed location following a recent protective order that was granted to the Another Simple Favor actress.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
16 July 2025
-
Lively’s team asked Judge Lewis Liman to order the deposition to be held at an alternate location — which was kept redacted in the public version of the motion.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Investment, insurance and annuity products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, are not deposits, are not insured by any federal government agency, are not a condition to any banking service or activity and may lose value.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Cayley put her deposit down in February and traveled to Turkey in May.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
When atmospheric rivers are pushed upward, the water vapor cools, condenses and precipitates.—
Amy Graff,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
While the faithful typically congregate in St. Peter's Square daily during the conclave, the public signal that a pontiff has been chosen precipitates a surge of observers rushing to be among the first to see the new pope in person.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sediment. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share