Synonyms for

Sludge

Verb / slʌdʒ / Another word for sludge — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a thick, gooey substance that is usually dirty or oily

Synonyms & similar words

goo ooze muck gook slime goop gunk guck muck ooze goo filth dirt grime crud gunk sediment silt slush mud clay pigment paste dregs residue lees settling dross

Synonyms by register

Formal

sediment precipitate ooze dregs

Informal

muck gunk goo grime crud

Literary

mire bog quagmire

Antonyms

clarity purity cleanliness fluidity solidity airiness

Common collocations

  • sewage sludge
  • thick sludge
  • viscous sludge
  • sludge removal
  • sludge treatment
  • oil sludge
  • digested sludge
  • sludge accumulation

Word family

noun sludge
verb sludge

Usage note

Sludge refers to a semi-solid, often unpleasant deposit or residue. It is commonly associated with waste materials, particularly from industrial processes or sewage. The verb form 'to sludge' means to move slowly and heavily, like thick mud.

Example sentences

  1. The plumber had to clean out the sludge in the drain.
  2. The factory dumped their sludge into the river.
  3. The car engine was making strange noises because of the sludge buildup.
  4. The pond was covered in a thick layer of sludge.
  5. The sludge was so thick, it was hard to walk through it.

Quotes

  • "Sludge is a funny word." - George Carlin
  • "We all have a sludge layer going on within us." - Carl Lentz
  • "This is not mud, it's sludge." - Peter Hedges

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