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
McKeon’s exterior has the same unpretentious elegance: a plumb bow and prowling lines that resemble a vessel in which the 2030s meets the 1930s, wrapped inside a technologically advanced frame. Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025 In My Mother and Eye, 2025, a sweeping Public Art Fund project installed in bus shelters across New York City, Boston, and Chicago, eleven discrete photographic collages plumb this intangible meeting point. Jessica Simmons-Reid, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Verb
Rethink Your Sink For the powder bath in her Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, cottage, designer Hannon Doody plumbed a ceramic bowl and an antique chest to fashion a one-of-a-kind sink. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025 The mission will require plumbing the depths for a sunken Russian sub, hanging from the wing of a biplane – and no less than an aircraft carrier. Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plumb
Adjective
  • Read on for the complete list of winners and nominees.
    Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • His plans are complete, and permits are moving forward.
    Sarah Alegre, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The company presented the AIR ONE, an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Space-savers will include pull-out vertical pantries that slide into narrow spaces, toe-kick drawers that utilize the area beneath your cabinets and corner carousel units that make those awkward spaces accessible.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Outfit 5 This is the outfit that can do it all—take you straight to the office, out to a classy meal, or right onto a connecting flight.
    Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The victory was the 11-3 Aztecs’ fifth straight and boosted them to 5-0 in Mountain West Conference play for the first time since the 2011-2012 season.
    Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • James wants more to change as a result of his daughter’s death – to force a change in rules and culture, so there are more guardrails around children and young travelers, like Piper, who are strong and independent but don’t necessarily have the life experience to fully appreciate the dangers.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The Kremlin insisted that to reach a peace deal, Kyiv must withdraw its troops from the areas in the east that Russia illegally annexed but never fully captured.
    KAMILA HRABCHUK, Arkansas Online, 24 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • The Gloucestershire Constabulary didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
  • It was not immediately known if the injuries the motorist suffered in the crash played a role in her death, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Smaller extruders offer control but struggle to scale.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The company’s pre-seed round gives it time to scale the generative learning engine that underpins the platform and to explore commercialisation.
    David Prosser, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Overall, though, Payton showed an utter unwillingness to trust his backfield against one of the league’s worst rushing defenses in the Bills.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Of course Canton voters had the most up-close-and-personal view of the utter corruption of the Karen Read prosecution.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • For total protection, erect metal or polypropylene deer fencing around the plant to prevent them from entering.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Thanks for that last shot of a fully erect Tommy.
    William Earl, Variety, 28 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plumb. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

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