SEDIMENT Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

sediment 1 of 2

verb

ˈse-də-ˌment

Definition of sediment

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Mazon Creek was a swampy river delta during the Carboniferous period, and its conditions allowed sediment to rapidly cover dead plants and animals. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026 Despite completion of a project to place large boulders, called riprap, between the train tracks and the sea in 2025, sediment next to the train tracks was seen this month falling into the ocean below. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sediment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sediment

Verb

Deadline reported that the studio deliberately released the teaser on the same day Meta settled a child-harm case brought by state attorneys general, and that Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has seen the ad and liked it.

— Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Noise colors are different sound profiles that spread audio energy across frequencies in distinct ways, and some can mask disruptive sounds and help the brain settle into deeper sleep.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of settle

Noun

At a final construction update held near the crossing Thursday, Robert Rock, lead landscape architect and principal designer for the crossing, explained that the soil in the area is rich in clay and silt.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
This last characteristic is great for worms and bivalves that vibrate their way through it, but not so great when earthquakes cause silts and clays to slump into landslides.

— Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of silt

Verb

Their personal lives are often showcased in a way that’s entirely filtered through the entertainment company’s lens.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Techniques popular in Ukraine and surrounding countries have steadily filtered into the rest of Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with salons all over the world now offering Ukrainian-style manicures.

— Lucy Abbersteen, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of filter

Noun

In depositions, group home staff members said that the home never trained them on the care and management of Type 1 diabetes.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
During that deposition, Smith was asked about subpoenas his team issued for toll records for certain members of Congress.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of deposition

Noun

Know More Tanzania has large offshore gas resources and deposits of minerals needed for the energy transition and digital infrastructure — such as copper, lithium, and cobalt — as well as precious metals and stones, including gold and diamonds.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Returns from bank deposits and bonds have declined amid tepid borrowing demand.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of deposit

Noun

Acid can be used to leach elements like calcium out, then a chemical or energetic process precipitates that calcium as calcium hydroxide.

— Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
One such innovative solution is to utilize the natural ability of microbes to precipitate minerals.

— Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of precipitate

Browse Nearby Words

sedentary

sediment

sedimented

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“Sediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sediment. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sediment

verb

noun

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