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
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025
After reviewing air, surface water, sediment and other environmental data collected by government groups, the agency expects to publish its findings next year, which may include recommendations to reduce or prevent harmful exposure.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 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
During the expedition, researchers also collected sediment samples, water and biota samples throughout the Southern Ocean at depths of up to 13,000 feet and across abyssal plains, hydrothermal vents, troughs, canyon walls and sea ice, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025
After reviewing air, surface water, sediment and other environmental data collected by government groups, the agency expects to publish its findings next year, which may include recommendations to reduce or prevent harmful exposure.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sediment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sediment
Verb
-
The unexpected matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will be settled on Sunday, June 22 in Oklahoma City.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
The district settled in 2022, saying the groups are open to all students.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Vines growing on black silt and sand are lined parallel to the direction of the mistral wind from the north.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
The pictures captured the lifeless water full of debris and silt, stagnant, clotted and scabbed with rubbish.—
Sarah Beckwith,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Mocktails, juices, a self-serve soda station, specialty coffees, and filtered water stations round out the options.—
Paul Rubio,
AFAR Media,
23 June 2025
-
Thoughtfully human moments are filtered through surrealist imagery and ventriloquist dolls.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Biden’s longtime physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, is slated to appear for a deposition on July 9.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
24 June 2025
-
Quoting from Ormond’s deposition testimony, CAA states that Weinstein pressured Ormond to join him in his London hotel suite in 1994.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
The next step is to use a secure payment method, like a credit card, debit card or several other options, to make an initial deposit.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
-
The deal adds approximately $1.5 billion in assets and a low-cost deposit base with an average cost of 1.69% to TowneBank.—
Sasirekha Subramanian,
Forbes.com,
24 June 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 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share