as in vertical
rising straight up
river rafters staring awestruck at the canyon's nearly perpendicular cliffs
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Recent Examples of perpendicular
The following year, researchers excavated a set of about 12 footprints that appeared to walk in a line, then found another set of footprints running perpendicular.
—
Evan Bush, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024
Longer wavelengths materialize on Earth when sunlight hits from more of a perpendicular angle, so its route through our atmosphere can be more extensive.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025
As the vernal equinox approaches on March 20, Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the sun.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Slide the cutting edge of your scissors perpendicular across the raw edge.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Evan Bush, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024
Longer wavelengths materialize on Earth when sunlight hits from more of a perpendicular angle, so its route through our atmosphere can be more extensive.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025
As the vernal equinox approaches on March 20, Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the sun.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Slide the cutting edge of your scissors perpendicular across the raw edge.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpendicular
Adjective
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By exempting income from athletes who are potentially earning millions of dollars, Arkansas appears to be violating the vertical equity principle.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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The artwork resembles the shell of a room that is unravelled to form a flat, vertical structure, like a deconstructed box.—
Megan Williams,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Megalopolis Never Logo text Francis Ford Coppola got a standing ovation at the Dolby Theatre on April 26.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2025
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Giving his inauguration speech, Cunningham received continual rounds of applause and several standing ovations.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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In the proceeding years, visitors who wanted to spend the night in the park could rent houseboats, erect tents, or park their camper vans or RVs, but the nearest hotel was located about an hour away in Florida City.—
Mariette Williams,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
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Salvia nemorosa Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Type: Dry to medium, well-draining, average Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-6.5) USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8 The erect flower spikes of meadow sage add dramatic texture and contrast to rose bushes.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perpendicular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpendicular. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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