diagonal 1 of 2

adjective

dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl How to pronounce diagonal (audio)
Definition of diagonalnext
as in oblique
running in a slanting direction The diagonal design ran up the wall all the way from the lower left to the upper right-hand corner.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diagonal

2 of 2

noun

as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon The ramp was set at a low diagonal to make it easier for wheelchairs.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 diagonal
Adjective
Doing so avoided cross-chaining, a problem in which the chain is placed at an extreme diagonal angle. — New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026 This video doorbell records at a sharp 2K (3MP) resolution and covers a 160-degree diagonal field of view. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
Larger values for c²—if they’re chosen carefully—enable more whole-number diagonals and hence more unit-distance pairs. — ArsTechnica, 1 June 2026 The painting, surrounded by scaffolding while the church undergoes repairs, is full of thrusting diagonals and shadowy figures, a meditation on both extreme suffering and pointed indifference to it. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for diagonal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diagonal
  1. oblique
  2. slope
  3. sloping
  4. inclination
  5. sloped
  6. incline
Adjective
  • Lakers rookie guard Cameron Carr, who has been out with a right oblique strain, practiced with the Coachella Valley Lakers on Tuesday.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The Lakers were without new guard Collin Sexton (calf) and first-round pick Cameron Carr (oblique), and swingman Jake LaRavia left the court limping in the fourth quarter.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of oblique
Noun
  • Just last month, travel on the railway was partially shuttered because of high tides, which came just weeks after a temporary closure in September due to erosion and slope damage following a strong Pacific storm.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • For these more demanding tasks, the K70 offers a full-coverage cleaning mode that tackles floors, walls, waterlines and slopes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of slope
Adjective
  • The room itself is a typical loft bedroom, with a double bed and a low sloping ceiling.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Gates open to a sloping, 700-foot-long driveway that passes by whimsical sculptures before arriving at a spacious cobblestone motor court.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sloping
Noun
  • There may be no bias as prevalent in politics and rhetoric as recency bias, the inclination to give disproportionate emphasis to recent events and statements rather than historical overview and contemplation.
    — Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Bipartisan cooperation is not likely to be the first inclination of either party.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of inclination
Adjective
  • The magic is in its sloped sides, a departure from the classic skillet’s 90-degree angles.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Following their 1967 nuptials, Elvis and Priscilla spent their honeymoon in Palm Springs at William Krisel’s House of Tomorrow, a 4,695-square-foot modernist abode sectioned off into four circular spaces under a long, sloped roof.
    — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of sloped
Noun
  • Al Fresco Bar Cart Made of solid and veneered walnut with elegant brass details, the Cotu (from the makers of our favorite bar cabinets) is a delightful midcentury-style bar cart that has a distinctive asymmetrical incline on each shelf.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2026
  • There are even conveyor belts to ferry folks up steep inclines – which also makes some of China's most beautiful views easier to reach for those less physically able.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of incline

Phrases Containing diagonal

Browse Nearby Words

diagnostics
diagonal
diagonally
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Cite this Entry

“Diagonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diagonal. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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