as in vertical
rising straight up
river rafters staring awestruck at the canyon's nearly perpendicular cliffs
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Recent Examples of perpendicular
But the team found that the satellite galaxy has a gravitational pull, perpendicular to Andromeda, that changes the Milky Way’s motion enough to reduce the chance of a merger between the two giant galaxies.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
At one point, Cortez slows his pickup down on the freeway and pulls it to a stop perpendicular to lanes of traffic.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Plus, sitting catty-corner with the original Courrèges store on a shopping street perpendicular to luxury shopping artery Avenue Montaigne and a stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées, the store is ideally placed to draw a more international clientele to Molli’s doorstep.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2025
With Earth’s axis perpendicular to the sun, a unique interaction between solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere weakens Earth’s magnetic field slightly.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
At one point, Cortez slows his pickup down on the freeway and pulls it to a stop perpendicular to lanes of traffic.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Plus, sitting catty-corner with the original Courrèges store on a shopping street perpendicular to luxury shopping artery Avenue Montaigne and a stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées, the store is ideally placed to draw a more international clientele to Molli’s doorstep.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2025
With Earth’s axis perpendicular to the sun, a unique interaction between solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere weakens Earth’s magnetic field slightly.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpendicular
Adjective
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If your small space is flanked by strong vertical fences or walls, the easiest solution is to cover the surface with plants.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
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While some programs featuring influencers and vertical excerpts of TV shows and movies are covered by union agreements, other projects don’t have those protections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Iran boasts a large standing force but also relies on proxies and undercover operations that have been severely disabled in recent months by U.S. and Israeli actions.—
Christopher Bodeen,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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His absence doesn’t make for a total 180 reversal; Haim’s other major standing collaborator, Rostam Batmanglij, is still on board co-producing with Danielle, so there are still points of sonic continuity.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Cut plants back to the ground after flowering to avoid unwanted re-seeding. Name: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae Size: 3-6 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide Zones: 4-8 Swamp Milkweed The large clusters of pink or rose-purple flowers appear in summer at the tops of tall, erect stems.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
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In the etching, the nun can be seen seated with her legs open while the three clergymen hold up their robes, revealing their erect penises.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perpendicular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpendicular. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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