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Synonyms

sludgy

American  
[sluhj-ee] / ˈslʌdʒ i /

adjective

sludgier, sludgiest
  1. of or relating to sludge.

  2. covered, lined with, or containing sludge.


sludgy British  
/ ˈslʌdʒɪ /

adjective

  1. consisting of, containing, or like sludge

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sludgy

First recorded in 1775–85; sludge + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We are drawn by the painting’s rich orchestration of warm and cool browns—from sludgy tan to super-charged ocher verging on sienna—and its seductive textures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

In 1973, the Isley Brothers remade the song on their “3 + 3” LP; two decades after that, the gothic metal band Type O Negative recorded a sludgy, slowed-down rendition.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The record was grim and sludgy – partly because the band had recorded it in just two days, with limited funds.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

The sludgy and foreboding take on electrified blues music, coupled with sci-fi stories and witch tales, laid the groundwork for decades of hard rock music across nine albums with Black Sabbath.

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2025

There was a sludgy black sadness at the bottom of it all.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo

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