lateral thinking

noun

chiefly British

: a method for solving problems by making unusual or unexpected connections between ideas

Examples of lateral thinking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a solution, the US Army Air Forces hit on a smidgen of lateral thinking. — New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026

This nws in not just about saving the tunnel project, but is also an interesting showcase of what can be achieved with a little bit of lateral thinking and planning. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026

This additional layer of lateral thinking is almost never prudent, and usually serves to kill both guardians quicker (and instill a killer headache). — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025

This creates a level of situational flexibility and lateral thinking that AI simply cannot simulate. — Charan Dhillon, Forbes.com, 7 May 2026

Rhymes for lateral thinking

• blinking
• clinking
• drinking
• inking
• kinking
• linking
• shrinking
• sinking
• slinking
• stinking
• winking
• freethinking