plumb 1 of 3

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

Examples 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
The yacht’s sporty exterior has lines penned by Enrico Gobbi and is mated to a sturdy plumb bow. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 22 Sep. 2023 The currency has now surrendered all of its gains from last year to plumb depths not seen since an investor panic in the early days of the war. Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2023
Verb
Up front, a slide-out single-burner gas or induction cooker and bowl sink plumbed to fresh and waste water canisters in the lower cabinets fill out the kitchen. New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024 The confidence Johnson inspired was contagious: If a Black man could handily beat a white man in a boxing ring, there was no reason Black artists and writers couldn’t fashion groundbreaking works, plumbing their lives and their histories – as Hurston did – to become champions of Black culture. Dominic Taylor, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plumb 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plumb
Adjective
  • That the defendants filed their meritless motion on the anniversary of Michael Crichton’s death is emblematic of the studio’s callousness and utter disregard for Crichton’s legacy.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
  • And yeah, some of the items on his list are utter nonsense.
    Eric Miquelon, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This crazy star seems to communicate with a smaller, five-pointed star to its upper right that is mainly light blue, though its loose weave of horizontal and vertical marks also contains other colors.
    Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The 1,200 vertical drop is decently steep for the Finger Lake region.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • Vols haven’t scored more than 21 points during their seven-game losing streak against the Bulldogs. — No. 24 Missouri at No. 23 South Carolina: Tigers have won five straight in the series.
    Eric Olson, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
  • The view is straight down at the North Pole in the center.
    Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • Prohibiting smoking is the only way to fully protect us from secondhand smoke exposure.
    David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • These flashbacks are presented without audio, as though the sound of Jonathan’s voice and Catherine’s own crying are too excruciating to fully recall.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • The Spartans opened up with two passing touchdowns for a 14-0 lead to immediately put the Mountain West conference leaders on edge.
    Andrew Hartley, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • And suddenly, Saric transformed into Jokic, in one sense, anyway: his exit from the game immediately resulted in disaster.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Beyond Meat continues to focus on cost-reduction initiatives and reviewing its global operations, which may include scaling back or discontinuing some operations in China.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Gauthier, who was mayor during most of the period in which the city achieved its historic drop in violent crime, believes East Palo Alto’s collaborative approach to crime reduction could be scaled up district-wide.
    Ryan Macasero, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Registrar of Voters said after election night, results will be updated daily at 5 p.m., except weekends, until the counting is complete.
    Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
  • The lot of the property covers a substantial area of 0.6-acre, complete with a pool for outdoor enjoyment.
    Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Sitting at a drafting table, armed with his mighty pencil and backed by the authority and purse of the federal government, Rudolph could wipe away entire neighborhoods, reshape cities, and erect monuments.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2024
  • Nearly three decades on, viewers are still baffled by costume designer Jose Fernandez's decision to adhere erect rubber nipples to various costumes.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near plumb

Cite this Entry

“Plumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plumb. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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