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

This is a former power station erected in the early 20th century, the city’s first public electricity plant before it was converted in 1997 into a satellite venue of the Capitoline Museums. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 In a paper, McCurdy argued that scheduling kratom would erect new regulatory hurdles to studying the leaf and dissuade funders from supporting it. — Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for erect

Adjective

It's based on a double-axle trailer and finished in standing seam metal, with Georgia pine accents, plus black windows and a black metal roof.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
Skubal wrapped up his deepest start of his Dodgers tenure to a standing ovation.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of standing

Verb

The volume of the excellent eclectic soundtrack raises the energy level even higher.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
The suit says La Strada twice raised concerns with Hoskins, but his Capitol security badge then was deactivated before a hearing in the case and he was fired effective May 1.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

Kanin Energy has raised up to $100 million in new equity financing to develop, build and operate waste heat-to-power and other on-site power projects across Canada and the US.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Trump also plans to build a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and is eyeing a golf course renovation along the Potomac River.

— MATTHEW DALY, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of build

Adjective

Rather than relying solely on the submarine’s traditional torpedo-room and vertical-launch arrangements, the additional module provides dedicated space for a larger number of weapons.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
The vertical American brand began 30 years ago, and was named after the street address in what is now the SoHo neighborhood in Manhattan — where the original business was housed.

— Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of vertical

Verb

On the apparel front, a Ballistic Tech Vest harkens back to ’90s utility gear, while Gore-Tex rears its head again on a circa-2000 Mountain Jacket with seam seals and another shell that reaches full length.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
Despite an offseason full of changes on the defensive side of the ball, the same issues that plagued the Cowboys in 2025 reared their head once again in the 2026 opener, as Dallas traveled to New York and fell to the Giants 28-20.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rear

Verb

The new financing is intended to expand that pipeline while allowing Kanin to finance, develop, construct, and operate the projects itself.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Working through an entire day and night, the pair construct an elaborate means of floating the heavy boxes down a river on a raft built from wooden pallets, steel drums, and propane tanks.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of construct

Adjective

Both are very similar and contain double beds, with ample headroom to stand upright thanks to their ground-floor position.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
The travel bag has a roomy interior department designed to keep bottles upright to prevent spills on the go.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of upright

Verb

Originally intended for Florence Cathedral’s roof, the statue proved too heavy to hoist and too magnificent to place so high.

— Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
Peter Zumthor’s design hoists a serpentine platform atop pavilions that read like stout, truncated legs, making the edifice almost creaturely in its architectural stance.

— George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of hoist

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“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erect. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of erect

adjective

verb

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