plumb 1 of 3

Definition of plumbnext

plumb

2 of 3

adverb

1
as in straight
in a direct line or course I can't believe he walked plumb into the tree, without even seeing it!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

plumb

3 of 3

verb

as in to scale
to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line plumbed the bay to make sure it was deep enough for the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective plumb differ from other similar words?

The words perpendicular and vertical are common synonyms of plumb. While all three words mean "being at right angles to a base line," plumb stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity.

make sure that the wall is plumb

When might perpendicular be a better fit than plumb?

Although the words perpendicular and plumb have much in common, perpendicular may stress the straightness of a line making a right angle with any other line, not necessarily a horizontal one.

the parallel bars are perpendicular to the support posts

In what contexts can vertical take the place of plumb?

In some situations, the words vertical and plumb are roughly equivalent. However, vertical suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith.

the side of the cliff is almost vertical

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 plumb
Adjective
There will be other plumb roles, including that of Mr Rochester, the brooding master of Thornfield Hall. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026 While still on Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek hosted Saturday Night Live — the musical guest was Everlast — and landed a plumb role in Varsity Blues, playing a second-string high school quarterback who leaps into the breach when the star suffers an injury. Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
The second level is that of the novel, whose task is to plumb the depths of the human condition. Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 7 June 2026 Regular drain maintenance and prompt attention to small problems can go a long way toward keeping your bathroom plumbing running smoothly. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for plumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plumb
Adjective
  • The vast Lake Tahoe estate of Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love, complete with a theater, wine tasting room, ice-skating rink and sauna, could be yours — for the small price of $43 million.
    Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Huel offers nutritionally complete protein shakes as meal replacements.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • In October 2025 Anthropic launched Claude for Life Sciences, the first time that the company released a product for a specific vertical market.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • According to reporting by Defence Blog, the V-BAT, officially designated the MQ-35A by the US military, is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone designed to operate from ships, expeditionary bases, and other locations where conventional aircraft would struggle to launch or recover.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Adverb
  • Flying straight from the merry Riverlands into the somber halls of Dragonstone is one hell of a comedown, but Daemon never struggles to access his dark side.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Sweden half-clear the ball, but only as far as Ao Tanaka, who immediately switches the play again over to the left, where Kamada is there to meet it on the volley — but hits it straight at the goalkeeper.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 29 June 2026
Adverb
  • Raising this concern to the funeral director is a great option as that person may have encountered a similar situation and be fully prepared to help walk the family through it with sensitivity to the needs of all involved.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
  • Overall, across roles analyzed in the first quarter of this year, 77% of new job postings were fully on-site, compared to 19% hybrid and 4% fully remote, the placement firm reports.
    Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Adverb
  • Rodríguez also said the country’s entire public and private healthcare network had been activated to treat the injured, urging doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to report immediately to their workplaces.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
  • Arraez fouled a ball off the top of his right foot in the bottom of the first inning on Tuesday, immediately dropping to the ground in pain but ultimately staying in the game.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Artisans scale the trunks with ropes and spikes to reach the greenish base of each frond.
    Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • While other universities scale back research amid federal funding uncertainty, Tulane University will lead a sweeping redevelopment of the vacant Charity Hospital.
    Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • English cricket has been in utter chaos for the last two weeks and the most damning indictment of those in charge is that this is a mess very much of their own making.
    Nasser Hussain, New York Times, 23 June 2026
  • What immediately followed that bright June day were dark months marred by the state’s largest criminal investigation in history coming up empty, police questioning second graders for new leads and mounting legal battles among the Horman family grappling with utter devastation.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • The solitary daisy-like golden yellow flowers emerge from slender, erect stems.
    Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 5 May 2026
  • The chickens stomp with swift feet like an Irish step dancer, keeping their tails erect and wings drooped.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plumb. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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