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
Dragonflies hold their wings perpendicular to their bodies, while a damselfly’s wings point straight back, parallel to its body.
—
Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025
The action moves from the scarred beach to a quarry where a rock wall is detonated, to liberate mighty boulders of granite that will eventually be placed perpendicular to the shoreline, reaching out into the ocean.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2025
The simulations revealed that the former increases the likelihood of a collision, but this is countered by the fact that the LMC's orbit runs perpendicular to the Milky Way/Andromeda orbit.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025
Each held a slender iron rod perpendicular to the wood.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025
The action moves from the scarred beach to a quarry where a rock wall is detonated, to liberate mighty boulders of granite that will eventually be placed perpendicular to the shoreline, reaching out into the ocean.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2025
The simulations revealed that the former increases the likelihood of a collision, but this is countered by the fact that the LMC's orbit runs perpendicular to the Milky Way/Andromeda orbit.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025
Each held a slender iron rod perpendicular to the wood.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 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 18 Jul. 2025.
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