as in vertical
rising straight up
river rafters staring awestruck at the canyon's nearly perpendicular cliffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 perpendicular
Additionally, electronic screening from the metal surface greatly altered images of vibrations that moved perpendicular to the surface.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Vonn tried to twist and regain her balance in mid-air but landed awkwardly with her skis perpendicular to the fall line, ensuring a brutal fall.
—Andrew Dampf, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
If the lever is perpendicular to the gas line, the gas valve is shut off.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
The dipole antennas are mounted perpendicular to each other on a small turntable, forming an X when seen from above.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Vonn tried to twist and regain her balance in mid-air but landed awkwardly with her skis perpendicular to the fall line, ensuring a brutal fall.
—Andrew Dampf, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
If the lever is perpendicular to the gas line, the gas valve is shut off.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
The dipole antennas are mounted perpendicular to each other on a small turntable, forming an X when seen from above.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpendicular
Adjective
-
Multiple engines attached to the wings swivel into vertical and horizontal positions to accommodate a lift like a helicopter and provide forward movement.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
With slit-seeding, a machine called either a slice seeder or slit seeder cuts vertical slits through the thatch layer and into the soil, leaving behind shallow grooves about one-inch deep.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His best finish was 20th in the middle-distance standing event in Beijing.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Lindo received a standing ovation, during which Jordan could be seen smiling at his co-star from the audience and clapping.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lily stood erect and silent, waiting for her part in the hunt.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The same rush to rename buildings, erect statues, hang massive banners of faces and publicly declare fealty to the leader in power is on display in North Korea, Cuba and the former Soviet Union.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perpendicular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpendicular. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
