benthic

adjective

Definition of benthicnext
as in pelagic

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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 benthic Since nurse sharks are a benthic species, their position in the water column may partially shield them from urban light, although not entirely. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 Mar. 2026 According to the study authors, these changes can be tied to stagnation and decline in the ocean’s biodiversity, particularly among benthic animals, or animals associated with the bottom of the sea, such as corals, crustaceans, and brachiopods. — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2025 Depositing the fleet of six benthic landers into the gulf has been an expensive and thorny process. — Robin Catalano, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2024 Many benthic animals overcome these limitations using legged locomotion and have different hydrodynamic profiles dictated by different body morphologies. — IEEE Spectrum, 15 Nov. 2019 See All Example Sentences for benthic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benthic
  1. pelagic
  2. marine
  3. deep-sea
  4. deepwater
  5. oceanographic
Adjective
  • His winning series was captured in the waters of Anilao, Philippines, where pelagic and larval marine life migrate from the depths each night to feed under the cover of darkness.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Researchers also encountered glass squid and spotted a pelagic octopus feeding on a bright red jellyfish.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Definition of pelagic
Adjective
  • Until now, scientists could measure the total phosphorus preserved in ancient rocks, but determining the share that was actually available to marine life remained challenging.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The waves also increase ocean temperatures and push cold, nutrient-rich waters deeper below the surface, which has an impact on marine life.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of marine
Adjective
  • The development marked the first ship-to-ship commercial ethanol bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel in the United States.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The refinery was initially planned to be built in Tanzania’s coastal town of Tanga, but Dangote said it was later determined that Lamu had deeper waters, solid ground capable of supporting the heavy equipment, and deep-sea access.
    — Evelyne Musambi, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of deep-sea
Adjective
  • The yacht will be transported from Royal Huisman’s newbuild facility in Vollenhove to the shipyard’s deepwater location near Amsterdam in November, where she will be launched before the stepping of her towering Rondal carbon mast and matching boom.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026
  • According to Hapag-Lloyd, the average waiting time for Gemini Cooperation services calling at Shanghai’s Yangshan deepwater port is approximately five to six days, and seven to eight days for non-Gemini services.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepwater
Adjective
  • Less known is a separate but related oceanographic feature that is quickly positioning itself as one of — if not the — major disruptive weather events of the season.
    — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Commissioned by the Ocean University of China in 1996, the Dong Fang Hong 2 is one of China’s most important comprehensive oceanographic research vessels, according to Baike.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of oceanographic

Browse Nearby Words

bent
benthic
bent (on or upon)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Benthic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benthic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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