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

My posture is erect, gait easy, expression flat, uninterested. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 May 2026 The solitary daisy-like golden yellow flowers emerge from slender, erect stems. — Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 5 May 2026

Verb

At the same time, private schools are welcome to erect language, cultural and special education exclusions. — Denise Forte, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026 Outside Silver Rail Elementary on Saturday, four small crosses with hearts and handwritten messages were erected at a growing makeshift memorial for the victims. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for erect

Adjective

Now there are rails suspended from the ceiling and an honest-to-goodness cash register in the front, with dressing rooms and more standing racks in the back half of the space, totaling 940 square feet.

— Max Berlinger, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
The Russian star's two kids handled that announcement, and the crowd gave a standing ovation.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of standing

Verb

In 2022, the central bank raised rates by three-quarters of a point six days before the midterm elections, part of its fight against the worst inflation in four decades.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
And the evidence uncovered by Chair Loudermilk raises serious questions about Speaker Pelosi's role in those decisions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

It was selected as the foundation of Britain’s five-ship Type 31 programme, which is being built at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Most residents in Flagler Village are eager to see more tall towers built, according to Glassman.

— Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of build

Adjective

While the harbor itself can get pretty chilly in winter, the outdoor first-floor pools benefit from a sustainable vertical ground-source heat pump system providing year-round heating.

— Laura Hall, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Ueda explained that the film was an adaptation of sorts, born from a 30-episode microdrama series designed for social media, hence the vertical aspect ratio.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of vertical

Verb

In the distance was a bronze statue of Louis XIV on a rearing horse in the majestic Place des Victoires, its stone pedestal stained by protesters’ splashes of red paint.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Spiders produce small amounts of usable silk compared to silkworms, which have been reared for their cocoons for more than 4,000 years.

— Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of rear

Verb

Uganda has also unveiled plans for the Turkish firm Summa, which constructed one of its AFCON stadiums, to build a 15,000-seater indoor arena in Kampala.

— Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Brodeur and Lowndes agree that housing affordability is also tied to supply, and that more homes available to the middle class need to be constructed.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of construct

Adjective

Turn the volume up and that pinhole dilates, revealing swirling galaxies of vocal harmonies, upright bass plucks, and cascading piano runs.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
Thanks to the single-floor layout, both are easy to access without awkwardly climbing ladders and both also offer ample headroom to stand upright.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of upright

Verb

Then it was hoisted up repeatedly to the helicopter where the crew got each person into the aircraft before lowering the basket again.

— Jaimie Ding, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The song is a dreamy barn-raiser, hoisting this premise on warm guitar tones and a plaintive tone that proves a through-line throughout the record.

— Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of hoist

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“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erect. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of erect

adjective

verb

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