diagonal 1 of 2

Definition of diagonalnext
as in oblique
running in a slanting direction The diagonal design ran up the wall all the way from the lower left to the upper right-hand corner.

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diagonal

2 of 2

noun

as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon The ramp was set at a low diagonal to make it easier for wheelchairs.

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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 diagonal
Adjective
The aircraft uses an ultra-long, thin wing supported by diagonal trusses. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026 Sané scored off a short pass from Havertz, a diagonal shot between the legs of Miles Robinson that appeared to take a slight deflection off the defender and beat goalkeeper Matt Freese to the far post. CBS News, 6 June 2026
Noun
Chevrolet has equipped the vehicle with a striking 11-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen, paired with an 8-inch driver information display. Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 For a bolder statement, opt for larger 24-inch squares laid on the diagonal, making the space feel more expansive. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diagonal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diagonal
Adjective
  • Raleigh has a right oblique strain.
    Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • Baldwin has been on the IL since May 19 with an oblique strain.
    Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Giant agaves, lomandra, aeoniums, aloes, blue grasses and sages covered the slope from the house to the pool.
    Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
  • The observation from the slope of the Tonga Trench is nearly 700 meters deeper than this species was known to live.
    Mark Osborne, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Watch for soft spots on floors, uneven or sloping flooring, cracks in walls and warped materials.
    Ryan Brennan May 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
  • As part of his new collection for the brand, Arnold unveiled a new shape—a slightly sloping, almost smile-like pleat that’s simultaneously nonchalant and fully sophisticated.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Courtesy of Focus Features & CBS Despite its inclination toward the otherworldly, the original Twilight Zone created by TV pioneer Rod Serling was, at its core, about the weakness of human nature.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Maybe because there’s some cultural inclination toward making an idiosyncratic mark on one’s little corner.
    Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • His sloped shoulders suggested bodily power that was sleepy and sly; his large head and dark, badly cut hair amplified the weight and solidity of him, but his lips were sensitive and a little slack, as if yearning for something he’d been long deprived of.
    Mary Gaitskill, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The sloped, landscaped half-acre lot offers a terrace and a two-car garage.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Plus, their elevated heels place your feet at a gentle incline for natural heel-to-toe transitions.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
  • Savin Hill Beach also made a substantial comeback in 2025 with a perfect 100% rating, a sharp incline from 68% the year before, the report showed.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Diagonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diagonal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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