Synonyms of diagonal

diagonal 1 of 2

adjective

dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl 

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oblique
• sloping
• leaning
• sloped
• slant
• tilting
• graded
• tilted
• slanted
• listing
• pitched
• canted
• cant
• slantwise
• raked
• inclined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• horizontal
• vertical
• level
• parallel
• up-and-down
• perpendicular
• plumb

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slope
• inclination
• incline
• gradient
• pitch
• lean
• slant
• grade
• rake
• ascent
• climb
• bank
• upgrade
• cant
• rise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dip
• decline
• fall
• hanging
• declination
• descent
• declivity
• declension
• downgrade
• receding
• hang

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of diagonal

Adjective

Beginning on her left side, the skirt boasted a waist-high, diagonal leg slit with a gauzy underlayer that showcased her peep-toe heels. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026

Marin’s diagonal shot dips at the last second and spears into the top corner of the net. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 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

Phrases Containing diagonal

• on the diagonal