oblique

adjective

ō-ˈblēk How to pronounce oblique (audio)
Definition of obliquenext
1
as in tilted
inclined or twisted to one side gave the eavesdropper an oblique glance out of the corner of her eye

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sloping
running in a slanting direction in the painting the artist repeats the oblique line of the path with the oblique line of the outstretched arm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 oblique Mayfield, who turned 31 in April, appeared on the Bucs’ injury report 10 out of 18 weeks with issues that spanned his foot, toe, knee, right biceps, oblique and right shoulder. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026 The three-time All-Star also went on the IL in May with an oblique strain and missed time last year with the same injury. — CBS News, 18 June 2026 This represents Palencia’s second IL stint this season after missing three weeks from mid-April into May with a left oblique strain. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026 Drake Baldwin was put on the IL with an oblique strain. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for oblique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oblique
  1. tilted
  2. sloping
  3. uneven
  4. diagonal
  5. crooked
  6. sloped
Adjective
  • But analysts say risks to oil prices remain tilted to the upside.
    — , CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Compared with tilted plastic rafts used in warmer climates, this design attaches flexible solar panels directly to thick, waterproof foam sheets, reducing wind exposure.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
Definition of tilted
Adjective
  • Gates open to a sloping, 700-foot-long driveway that passes by whimsical sculptures before arriving at a spacious cobblestone motor court.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There was a casual feel in Memorial Auditorium in the hour before game time, as children kicked a ball around on the auditorium’s sloping floor.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of sloping
Adjective
  • Bohm has endured an uneven campaign, showcasing both encouraging offense and periods of struggle, raising concerns about his viability in a contract year.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Fans of celebrity bald eagle Jackie are again grappling with troubling news about her health, the latest downturn in an uneven recovery since her rescue near Big Bear Lake last month.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • Using pruning shears, make a diagonal cut at the bottom of the stem at a 45-degree angle.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The 7-inch (diagonal) color touch screen has a 1,024-by-600-pixel resolution and a wireless RF range of 300 feet.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of diagonal
Adjective
  • The rule also failed to tackle all of the ways trusts and other vehicles provide impenetrable secrecy for the wealthy and the crooked alike.
    — Casey Michel, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In Salinger’s narrative, Pencey is plagued by a population of troubled youth, crooked teachers, and spoiled rich kids, a mixture that often begat abuse.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • Common areas feature self-operating lifts or sloped entryways.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 July 2026
  • The Karine armchair has some serious potential to become your new favorite chair with its sloped arms and relaxed silhouette, energized by a mellow shade of green.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 July 2026
Definition of sloped

Browse Nearby Words

obligingness
oblique
obliquely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oblique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oblique. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on oblique

Nglish: Translation of oblique for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All