PLUMB Synonyms: 259 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

plumb 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of plumb next

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions a horror movie that's plumb trash and further evidence of the deterioration of popular culture

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vertical

rising straight up the wall was not plumb, so everything else in the room was out of kilter

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plumb

2 of 3

adverb

as in straight

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fully

chiefly dialect to a full extent or degree I'm plumb tuckered out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immediately

without delay we had no sooner resolved that crisis than we plumb rushed into another one

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Also, use a square from two directions to check that the fastener is square or plumb to the surface. —

Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 26 May 2023

Verb

With action springing from the investigation of a high school girl’s mysterious murder in a Washington lumber mill town, the weekly ABC show plumbed disquieting, theretofore taboo subject matter and made the inexplicable a fixture of modern narrative television. —

Chris Morris, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025 Following the twin threads of Tirzah, Harrison and their descendants over 150 years, this gorgeous novel from the author of Caul Baby plumbs the power of enduring love and the way consequences reverberate through time. —

Lizz Schumer, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plumb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plumb

Adjective

The diss record symbolizes utter domination in hip-hop.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2025
Words once too blue to publicly utter have become increasingly commonplace.

— Matt Richtel, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025