Synonyms of sediment

sediment 1 of 2

verb

ˈse-də-ˌment 

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

• settle
• filter
• lay
• clear
• sift
• strain
• sieve
• screen
• clarify
• resettle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• mix
• stir
• disturb
• agitate

sediment

2 of 2

noun

ˈse-də-mənt 

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

• silt
• deposition
• deposit
• precipitate
• sludge
• dregs
• grounds
• settlings
• lees
• slag
• ooze
• dross
• waste

Example Sentences

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

Duhaime, a University of Michigan ecologist, said her goal is to assess concentrations of microplastics in deeper water and within sediment at the bottom of each Great Lake, rather than just on the surface. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

The researchers say the ancient escarpment may have influenced river systems, sediment transport and the flooding of continental interiors long before the rapid diversification of complex life during the Cambrian explosion. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026