plumb 1 of 3

Definition of plumbnext

plumb

2 of 3

adverb

1
as in straight
in a direct line or course I can't believe he walked plumb into the tree, without even seeing it!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

plumb

3 of 3

verb

as in to scale
to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line plumbed the bay to make sure it was deep enough for the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective plumb differ from other similar words?

The words perpendicular and vertical are common synonyms of plumb. While all three words mean "being at right angles to a base line," plumb stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity.

make sure that the wall is plumb

When might perpendicular be a better fit than plumb?

Although the words perpendicular and plumb have much in common, perpendicular may stress the straightness of a line making a right angle with any other line, not necessarily a horizontal one.

the parallel bars are perpendicular to the support posts

In what contexts can vertical take the place of plumb?

In some situations, the words vertical and plumb are roughly equivalent. However, vertical suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith.

the side of the cliff is almost vertical

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 plumb
Adjective
An actor’s job is to plumb emotions at a moment’s notice. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2025 On Tuesday morning, the parking lot and the gravel road near the Oglala Commodity Warehouse in Pine Ridge was plumb-full of pick-up trucks and cars. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
This policy helps cover the cost of repairing and replacing devices and systems essential to your home, from HVAC to plumbing to refrigeration. Caroline Ernst, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 Cisco Oliviera, who fixes plumbing problems at district schools, told the board that his layoff notice arrived on his birthday. Joan Murray, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plumb
Adjective
  • Food and drink All-day restaurant Pure serves up a sprawling breakfast buffet complete with omelette and pancake stations, heaving tropical fruit platters, and baked goods galore, including Polynesian treats like coconut bread.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
  • There was a sense of endings at St James’ Park; not definitive, not complete, but persuasive, a final home game for Kieran Trippier as a Newcastle player, and a feeble waft of farewell in the colour of claret.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • On the walls hung vertical scrolls of Chinese calligraphy.
    Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Floor maltings still running the traditional way, coopers making barrels on site, a 30-year vertical tasting conducted without theatrics.
    Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Adverb
  • But Jeffries, an outstanding student who typically went straight home from baseball practice to study, remained more of a spectator than a participant in the borough’s burgeoning hip-hop scene.
    Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • While tens of millions of Americans are laden with tuition loans – many well into their 30s, leaving renting their only option – their Chinese counterparts start planning the purchase of their first homes straight out of university.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Adverb
  • Ship has yet to demonstrate in-space refueling, or even a launch that fully reaches Earth orbit.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 May 2026
  • Starship is meant to be fully reusable, with giant mechanical arms at the launch pads to catch the returning rocket stages.
    Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Adverb
  • The 6-3, 318-pound Hunter, mostly a run-stuffer in college, immediately becomes an important piece on Ejiro Evero’s defense until Wharton returns.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • The airport said that the runway was immediately shut down and that emergency construction crews are on site to determine the cause of the sinkhole and make repairs.
    James Powel, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Verb
  • Many scaling businesses that have lived through those moments know these early struggles, where every decision felt urgent and every investment had to justify itself.
    Satish Patel, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • Having started out as the owner of a gym that grew to six locations, Alex Hormozi and wife Leila moved into additional business acquisitions and making online content and writing books for entrepreneurs looking to scale up their own businesses.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • While her defensive energy contributed to the team’s depth, a scoreless night highlighted the utter absurdity of the league elevating a backup guard over the most prolific scorer in basketball history, especially on a night when the team was already missing its star center.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
  • The utter disdain Ronny Chieng brought to the piece was delicious.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The solitary daisy-like golden yellow flowers emerge from slender, erect stems.
    Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 5 May 2026
  • The chickens stomp with swift feet like an Irish step dancer, keeping their tails erect and wings drooped.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plumb. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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