as in standing
rising straight up
a lone tree remained erect after the terrible tornado had passed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to raise
to fix in an upright position
the tribes of the Pacific Northwest erected totem poles in front of their dwellings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of erect
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 June 2025
In the etching, the nun can be seen seated with her legs open while the three clergymen hold up their robes, revealing their erect penises.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025
The neighborhoods that flooded most severely after Katrina were the ones built during the twentieth century, when the city erected a pumping system that was supposed to keep its low-lying areas dry.
—Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erect
Adjective
Plants add stunning texture and shining color to the garden with metallic, lavender-blue bracts surrounding flowers that stand erect on purple stems.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 June 2025
In the etching, the nun can be seen seated with her legs open while the three clergymen hold up their robes, revealing their erect penises.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Verb
Another aspect that isn’t terribly sensible is the convertible top, which entails a bit of a ritual to erect, along with side curtains that more or less enclose occupants when inclement weather prevails.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025
The neighborhoods that flooded most severely after Katrina were the ones built during the twentieth century, when the city erected a pumping system that was supposed to keep its low-lying areas dry.
—Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erect
Adjective
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Begin by marveling at the 5,600-year-old Ġgantija Temples, some of the world’s oldest standing stones.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
28 Aug. 2025
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But all of that paled next to seeing him in person Friday, when Cox stood from his wheelchair and waved from a private suite to a standing ovation from Braves fans and members of his 1995 World Series championship team, who were standing on the infield after being introduced before him.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Money raised supports non-profit women's wellness programs and education to promote breast cancer awareness.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
31 Aug. 2025
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Internal records obtained by the Republic show that school officials failed to act immediately, despite parents repeatedly raising concerns.—
Hannah Dreyfus,
AZCentral.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The demonstration took place at the Cenex Expo 2025 and marks a step forward in building a circular economy for EV batteries.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
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China showcased interceptor missiles designed for air and missile defense on Wednesday, rivaling a similar system being built by the United States, known as the Golden Dome.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This First House will have a focus on affordable homes and projects and episodes will feature more tech-centric visuals including Instagram reels and TikTok-style content as well as vertical videos and video conferencing.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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Goat Springs is nestled in a clump of piñons between the rolling mass of Goat Mountain and the seemingly vertical face of Bennett Mountain.—
Tim Kelly,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The problem really has to do with mentality, the fact that even after securing its first trophy in over a decade, the idea of being challengers, the Spursy curse still rears its head.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Evidence is starting to roll in that inflation is rearing its ugly head as his tariffs were just beginning to be implemented.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Since then, Cassellius set a goal to address lead hazards in all 50 schools constructed before 1950 by the first day of school.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Inspectors shut down the Sacramento Mexican food restaurant after finding live adult and nymph German cockroaches at the rear of the facility, at the closed interior gate and under the three-door upright refrigerator.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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If bookmaking was in theory the keel that kept the ship upright, in practice Bowyer often treated it as another gamble, priding himself on taking bets that his competition wouldn’t touch.—
DAVID AMSDEN,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Cena hoisted Paul on his shoulders again, but Paul avoided an AA and hit an overbomb on Cena.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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New best friends were made – at least for 120 minutes on a rainy weekend night – as beers were hoisted and lyrics were shouted.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erect. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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