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sludge

sludge

30 4.8
A thick, wet, muddy substance that comes from dirty water
  • noun
  • /slʌdʒ/
translation icon : lodo
  • The workers removed the sludge from the bottom of the pond to keep the water clean.
  • sewage sludge
  • sludge application
  • activated sludge

We've all seen the pink sludge videos of how the Mcnuggets get made.

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Examples

  • Now he's on his hands and knees in the sludge, trying frantically to find the pliers.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Land application represents the most common method of sludge management in the United States.

    Academic text (1999)
  • One alternative being explored for paper mill sludge is its use as animal bedding.

    Academic text (1995)
  • In this study, significantly fewer people felt comfortable serving food from sludge-treated farms to their families.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Heat drying technology can be used for sewage sludge stabilization in two ways.

    Academic text (1999)
  • About sixteen percent of municipal sewage sludge is combusted in the United States.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Section IV explores the possible legal issues associated with siting sewage sludge land application projects.

    Academic text (1999)
  • After the heavy rain, thick sludge covered the streets, making it difficult for cars to pass.

  • The factory was fined for illegally dumping toxic sludge into the nearby river.

Synonyms

dirt
vssludge
95 1.0

Substance that makes things unclean

is the specific thick, muddy leftover rather than common surface soil
slime
vssludge
85 1.8

A thick slippery substance that feels wet and sticky

is more mudlike and often a heavy residue rather than just slippery
goo
vssludge
59 3.0

A thick sticky substance that is soft and wet

is more specifically muddy and soft waste rather than a general sticky mass
muck
vssludge
54 3.7

A wet dirty substance like mud or animal waste

is more industrial or general mudlike residue rather than mainly organic waste
sediment
vssludge
  • Specialized
43 4.2

Small bits that collect at the bottom of water or other liquids

is softer and muddier, not only solid particles left by settling
silt
vssludge
18 3.7

Fine soil left by moving water in a river or harbor

is muddier and more organic, not just mineral deposits
gunk
vssludge
15 4.6

Thick sticky stuff that is dirty or unpleasant

is specifically a muddy, soft residue often left as waste
grime
vssludge
15 2.3

Dirt and soot that make a surface look dirty

is a thicker, wetter residue rather than surface dust or soot
goop
vssludge
10 7.5

A thick sticky substance that is often messy

is more composed of mudlike residue and often larger in amount
ooze
vssludge
7 4.0

A thick sticky liquid that is soft and wet

is denser and more mudlike, not just a flowing wet liquid
glop
vssludge
  • Informal
5 9.0

A sticky, shapeless lump of wet, unpleasant material

is more mudlike and soft, often forming as settled residue
dross
vssludge
4 9.6

Waste material that forms on the surface of melted metal and is removed

is primarily a wet, muddy residue rather than general separated waste
gung
vssludge
  • UK
3 9.9

A sticky, greasy dirt that is hard to remove

is usually less greasy and more muddy or slimy as residue
gook
vssludge
  • US
1 7.7

A thick sticky substance that is hard to remove

is more mudlike and soft residue rather than general sticky matter
slop
vssludge
  • Archaic
1 6.8

Dirty water from kitchens or bathrooms

is thicker and more solidified than simple liquid waste
guck
vssludge
  • Informal
1 9.5

A thick sticky substance that looks dirty and unpleasant

is heavier and more muddy rather than simply sticky or messy
oily mess
vssludge
1 3.7

A dirty, greasy stain or spill that is hard to clean

is less greasy and more mudlike, formed as thick residue
slimy substance
vssludge
4.5

A wet, slippery material that feels thick and makes things slide

is thicker and more muddy waste rather than mainly slippery material
gunky
vssludge
  • Informal
8.4

A sticky, dirty substance

is the more formal idea of thick, muddy residue rather than slang

Antonyms

866 1.0

Free from things that block sight or movement

How Thick

tar
65 4.1
gunk
15 4.6
paste
68 1.0
sludge
30 4.8
mud
455 1.0
slurry
  • Specialized
9 7.7

Surface Forms

sludge singular
sludges plural

Etymology

Sludge probably comes from the older word slush, which means 'soft, wet mud', so imagine slush that has become much thicker and stickier. So sludge is a heavy, muddy or slimy waste or residue that clings and does not flow easily.