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 Princess and Empress pursuing opposite ends of the same story book, their paths perpendicular on Sunset Boulevard.
—
Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
While most rifle bores and barrel crowns are perfectly perpendicular, an older or damaged rifle may have some deviation, which would negatively impact the accuracy of the boresight.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
In 2001, a journalist launched the Political Compass, a tool designed to move beyond such simplifications by adding a social scale perpendicular to the economic one, creating ideological quadrants that have since become a staple of political-science classes.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
Dragonflies hold their wings perpendicular to their bodies, while a damselfly’s wings point straight back, parallel to its body.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
While most rifle bores and barrel crowns are perfectly perpendicular, an older or damaged rifle may have some deviation, which would negatively impact the accuracy of the boresight.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
In 2001, a journalist launched the Political Compass, a tool designed to move beyond such simplifications by adding a social scale perpendicular to the economic one, creating ideological quadrants that have since become a staple of political-science classes.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
Dragonflies hold their wings perpendicular to their bodies, while a damselfly’s wings point straight back, parallel to its body.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpendicular
Adjective
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Amazon says its facility has added 130 jobs on the Space Coast since 2024, and ULA has added to the economic impact as well by building out at second vertical integration facility at SLC 41.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 July 2025
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If one looks straight downward from Scorpius one encounters the teapot shape of stars that is Sagittarius; in mid southern latitudes the teapot shape is almost vertical.—
Jesse Emspak,
Space.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The new Champion Golfer of the Year gave another example of his extraordinary superiority in men's professional golf, earning standing ovations from the crowd at Royal Portrush.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 July 2025
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Iran boasts a large standing force but also relies on proxies and undercover operations that have been severely disabled in recent months by U.S. and Israeli actions.—
Christopher Bodeen,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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The guardians stand erect, with arms crossed at their chests and relief-like musculature superimposed on their bodies.—
Melissa Harris,
Artforum,
10 July 2025
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In the etching, the nun can be seen seated with her legs open while the three clergymen hold up their robes, revealing their erect penises.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perpendicular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpendicular. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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