Synonyms of vertical

vertical

adjective

ˈvər-ti-kəl 

as in standing

rising straight up

a vertical cliff face

Synonyms & Similar Words

• standing
• perpendicular
• erect
• upright
• plumb
• lifted
• raised
• upstanding
• stand-up
• elevated
• upraised
• freestanding
• upended
• stand-alone
• semierect

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flat
• recumbent
• diagonal
• prostrate
• supine
• hanging
• slant
• slanted
• sagging
• slanting
• slanty

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vertical differ from other similar words?

The words perpendicular and plumb are common synonyms of vertical. While all three words mean "being at right angles to a base line," vertical suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith.

the side of the cliff is almost vertical

When could perpendicular be used to replace vertical?

The words perpendicular and vertical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is it sensible to use plumb instead of vertical?

While the synonyms plumb and vertical are close in meaning, plumb stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity.

make sure that the wall is plumb

Examples of vertical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Radial cracking refers to vertical splits, while concentric cracking refers to splits that form in a circular pattern around the fruit’s stem. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2024

Percale Percale weaves utilize an over-under pattern where the horizontal (weft) thread is woven one-over and one-under the vertical (warp) thread before looping back to its original position. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2024

The location, formerly a bright pink Barbie flagship that opened in 2009, is now an eight-store, vertical construction with 77,000 square feet of retail space along the populous Huaihai Road. —Denni Hu, WWD, 16 Aug. 2024

Little River Falls is at the center of that preserve, cascading 45 vertical feet from the clifftop. —Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2024