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
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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
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
Organic molecules were also discovered in clay sediments within the rock, although Perseverance was unable to identify these molecules.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Dec. 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
High volumes of water, combined with a lack of vegetation roots to hold soil in place, mean that more sediment and debris travel downstream, impacting water quality and water treatment systems.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
Organic molecules were also discovered in clay sediments within the rock, although Perseverance was unable to identify these molecules.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sediment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sediment
Verb
-
Her sparkling long-sleeve dress draped across her body and settled into a small train behind her.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Some might accept a lien or letter of protection, which meant they would not be paid until lawsuits like those that would be filed on Barb’s and Sharon’s behalf settled.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These rivers shaped the story of California — a sense of place — from the native peoples shaped by these rivers to the men who extracted riches from the silt.—
Sacramento Bee staff,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
This stretch of the Great Hungarian Plain was once the nation’s breadbasket, a lush expanse of silt and soil regularly replenished by the flooding of the Danube and Tisza rivers.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
For a subtle but meaningful change, this set of floral sheer curtains from Kelly Clarkson adds a romantic touch to any room while filtering light.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Reports began to filter in that insurrectionists, some of whom were believed to be armed and on a mission to kill, had breached the Capitol.—
Zach Fisch,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
An hour before Smith’s testimony, his attorney Peter Koski said at the deposition, the Justice Department informed Smith by e-mail that Cannon’s order meant he was barred from discussing any information contained in the report.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
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The deposition of Maduro has already led to a scramble for power among Venezuelan opposition leaders.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Amaroq, which operates on the island, said the White House is talking to it about investment in its projects that extract or explore gold, gallium and other critical mineral deposits.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
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Venezuela's constitution states that the nation owns all mineral and hydrocarbon deposits — its oil and natural gas reserves — within its own territory, including those that lie beneath the country's seabed.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The polyester precipitates from the solvent upon cooling, and can likewise be reused.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Nov. 2025
-
The longer this cooling time is, the more likely the individual precipitate is to grow, according to details released by MIT.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sediment. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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