Synonyms of sediment

sediment 1 of 2

verb

ˈse-də-ˌment 

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

• settle
• filter
• lay
• clear
• sift
• strain
• sieve
• screen
• clarify
• resettle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• mix
• stir
• disturb
• agitate

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

• silt
• deposition
• deposit
• precipitate
• sludge
• dregs
• grounds
• settlings
• lees
• slag
• ooze
• dross
• waste

Example Sentences

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