ERECT Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

erect 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈrekt

Definition of erect

as in standing

rising straight up a lone tree remained erect after the terrible tornado had passed

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erect

2 of 2

verb

as in to raise

to fix in an upright position the tribes of the Pacific Northwest erected totem poles in front of their dwellings

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to build

to form by putting together parts or materials we'd better erect some sort of shelter before these woods are in total darkness

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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 erect

Adjective

The solitary daisy-like golden yellow flowers emerge from slender, erect stems. — Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 5 May 2026 The chickens stomp with swift feet like an Irish step dancer, keeping their tails erect and wings drooped. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026

Verb

On November 6, as part of Czechoslovakia’s de-Stalinization, the demolition of a fifty-feet-high granite statue of Joseph Stalin, erected in Prague in 1955, was complete. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Spain erected a 1,600-foot sea barrier off Ceuta after tens of thousands of migrants stormed the frontier, a deadly rush that left at least 67 dead. — Sergio Rodrigo Ruíz, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for erect

Adjective

Upon her return to Chase Center, Los Angeles Sparks guard Kate Martin receives a pregame tribute video and a standing ovation; Martin played one season for the Valkyries before being cut in training camp this year.

— Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Iyo Sky received a standing ovation for the sunny crowd in Minnesota.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of standing

Verb

Every quarter of adoption raises the cost of an adverse ruling, for both sides.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
The project has transformed the Burchardi Church, which was left largely in ruins before money was raised for a new roof and other fixes to make the piece a reality.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

McCaleb and co-editors Skip Macdonald and Joey Liew, along with Golubić, continued to build sequences from scratch, allowing silence, dialogue, sound design or music to occur naturally depending on the needs of each scene.

— Deadline, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Our children are building relationships with technology before many of us have begun conversations about identity, judgment, values and character.

— Aiko Bethea, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of build

Adjective

The homeowner was concerned about cracks that had appeared in some 10-foot tall 6×6 vertical wood deck posts.

— Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
This is accompanied by vertical matrix taillights with 708 red LED particles and headlights with 228 LED beads per group.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of vertical

Verb

Julianne Moore’s iconic cry-face has reared its head once again — but, this time, not on a screen big or small.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
This hyper-awareness rears its head in moments the otherwise invisible tween is placed under a spotlight by his peers, resulting in quick bursts of visual energy that intentionally get on your nerves.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of rear

Verb

In the first part of the proposal, Wyden wants to remove existing tax incentives for constructing data centers, for instance, making it so that assets purchased for data centers are not immediately eligible for write-off.

— Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026
Shamelessness has been central to Trump’s business and political success, and his reaction to setbacks is to deny objective facts and construct fantasies of achievement.

— KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of construct

Adjective

Rest well on the go with the FlyHugz neck pillow, which has 360-degree customizable support that keeps your head upright, reducing neck strain and stiffness.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
He isn’t supposed to see the field until at least next season, if the Rams can keep Stafford upright.

— Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of upright

Verb

Rapp and his crewmate, Suzanne Driscoll, hoisted a lobster trap marked by a bobbing buoy from the Casco Bay.

— Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
History tells us the managers who stay locked in while everyone else pivots toward football draft prep are the ones hoisting trophies come October.

— John Laghezza, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of hoist

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“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erect. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of erect

adjective

verb

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