cross-sectional

adjective

as in fragmentary

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 cross-sectional Their doctor had ordered a CT scan – a type of imaging that creates detailed cross-sectional pictures of the body’s interior – to look for pneumonia or another infection. — Peter Gunderman, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026 Because the data are cross-sectional, however, the researchers cannot determine whether the microbial shifts contribute to obesity or arise as a consequence of it. — New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026 This first three-dimensional cross-sectional image goes 11 miles) below the crater and shows what appear to be various pools of magma at different depths, with rock or other material between them and more numerous toward the southeast of the crater. — Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026 Instead, Funnell suggests starting with a cross-sectional study comparing athletes who habitually drink during training to those who don’t, to see if the former group is less affected by dehydration. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 8 Jan. 2026 Parents tend to perceive less need to safeguard boys, encouraging more adventurous risky behaviors, according to a 2024 cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 Going to the doctor once a year and doing all of the lab testing will give you a very cross-sectional view of your health. — Alice Park, Time, 9 Oct. 2025 The researchers add that the study’s cross-sectional design was only able to show that social advantage was associated with slower aging — rather than definitively proving that social advantage caused the slower aging. — Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2025 Researchers used multiple massive datasets, including one large cross-sectional survey, a detailed study with college students and four longitudinal studies tracking people over decades. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross-sectional
  1. fragmentary
  2. partial
  3. sectional
  4. divisional
  5. local
Adjective
  • Direct archaeological evidence from this critical period in the Levant, the region that now roughly equates to the Middle East and Turkey, is scarce and fragmentary.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • Some lives are permitted to remain fragmentary.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2026
Definition of fragmentary
Adjective
  • After all, the Strait of Hormuz is now in its sixth month of total or partial closure.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • Hugh Town The Isles of Scilly combine Britain's deepest partial eclipse with some of southern England's darkest skies.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of partial
Adjective
  • Slow, sectional removal is best for large shrubs near structures to prevent damage to patios, fences, or foundations.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • Best Amazon Prime Day Furniture Deals Looking to score a major discount on a big-ticket item like a new patio set or sectional sofa?
    — Emma Ashe, The Spruce, 22 June 2026
Definition of sectional
Adjective
  • Corizon underwent a divisional merger in May 2022 in the face of numerous liabilities amounting to more than $185 million.
    — Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026
  • Campbell allowed eight pressures in the Super Bowl, according to TruMedia, after allowing four in the divisional round against the Texans and five in the wild-card round against the Chargers.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of divisional
Adjective
  • Many of their questions about the potential local impacts of the project remain unanswered.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • Contrary to Trump’s comments on Thursday night, national networks are not licensed by the government, but local stations are.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of local

Browse Nearby Words

cross section
cross-sectional
cross sections
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cross-sectional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross-sectional. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All