Definition of sludgenext
1
as in mud
soft wet earth after a day of heavy rain, the fairgrounds had turned into pure sludge

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2
as in corn
something (as a work of literature or music) that is too sentimental I can't bring myself to read that sludge

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 sludge The United States is losing to one of its worst enemies in a war that has left the American economy mired in the sludge of growing inflation and rising energy prices. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 Crazy picked the bowl up and chugged down the salty, yellow sludge. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026 Jacobs oversees wastewater treatment, while Synagro handles sludge processing. — Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Residents sat in homes with walls washed away by the floods, shoveling sludge-like mud and rubble off balconies or window frames. — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sludge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sludge
Noun
  • The Diocletian Ritual, comprising a salt scrub, cleansing mud wrap, and massage, is both invigorating and restorative.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The 1983 movie, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, portrays the fight as gritty and grounded, taking place during a rainstorm where mud flies as fast as fists.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Traditionally, the Cuban government bought staples like chicken, vegetable oil, rice, soy and corn from the United States, along with many other products.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The 2025 study, however, showed that the mutation dates back to more than 40,000 years ago – long before the domestication of corn about 9,000 years ago.
    — Ornob Alam, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At the end of Season 1, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange team up to fight a mysterious symbiote alien, who leaves behind a small trace of symbiotic goo that Osborn collects and investigates.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The package recommends microwaving, so the chicken melts into the creamy goo.
    — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sludge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sludge. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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