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
-
Hoover was much better in the second quarter and led TCU into the red zone, but the Horned Frogs had to settle for a 35-yard Nate McCashland field goal.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Soika, a surgeon, unsuccessfully tried to book a rental car to get to Utah for a weekend trip before settling on an option that seemed straight out of Hollywood.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Particles of silt and any rust from your plumbing join in.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
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These silts were left behind when ancient river channels filled up or when floodwaters slowed down and gently dropped tiny particles.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 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
-
Silgranit sinks can be cleaned with a mixture of dish soap and vinegar, which will need to sit for at least an hour if there are any hard water deposits before being rinsed and dried.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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After an initial deposit of around $160 million by August 2019, Riaz’s company had to pay a monthly fine of $16 million.—
Rafia Zakaria,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The polyester precipitates from the solvent upon cooling, and can likewise be reused.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Nov. 2025
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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 8 Jan. 2026.
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