diagonal 1 of 2

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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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
Sawyer noted that the other side of the street has diagonal parking spaces. Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025 The Brazilian did make a late diagonal dart infield, but Odegaard’s through-ball was overhit. James McNicholas, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The bottom-left to top-right diagonal represents the winning percentage of teams against opponents of the same seed. Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 Some run in the straight lines followed by a rook, some follow the diagonals of a bishop, and others hold off opponents like a pawn. Issy Ronald, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diagonal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diagonal
Adjective
  • After going down with an oblique injury earlier this month, top rookie Roman Anthony was given a four-to-six-week timeline for a potential return to the lineup.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Hill missed nearly a month of training camp and preseason with an oblique injury.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Ski aficionados can take to the slopes at nearby Saint-Sauveur.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The River Kelvin at this point is very picturesque, with bends and steep slopes.
    Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For those with time and inclination, the New York Times did an exhaustive deep dive into court battle based on thousands of pages of court filings and hearing transcripts.
    Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • No other player has a similar inclination to hold width.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • They are most commonly used to transport people and cargo up steep inclines.
    Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
  • And while the bag stays in place well, a small hip stabilizer strap would be helpful on steeper inclines and descents.
    Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Snipers set up on a very sloped roof on a suspect barricaded in a motel.
    Harper’s Magazine, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diagonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diagonal. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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