ERECT Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

erect 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈrekt

Definition of erect

as in standing

rising straight up a lone tree remained erect after the terrible tornado had passed

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erect

2 of 2

verb

as in to raise

to fix in an upright position the tribes of the Pacific Northwest erected totem poles in front of their dwellings

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to build

to form by putting together parts or materials we'd better erect some sort of shelter before these woods are in total darkness

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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 erect

Adjective

My posture is erect, gait easy, expression flat, uninterested. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 May 2026 The solitary daisy-like golden yellow flowers emerge from slender, erect stems. — Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 5 May 2026

Verb

In fact, experts generally hold that splitting the shots will decrease vaccination rates for all three diseases by erecting an unnecessary obstacle to the shots. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Crews on Tuesday mostly mopped up and removed berms and fire breaks erected during firefighting efforts, Cal Fire officials said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for erect

Adjective

The state has also taken corrective action on debt and paid down $10 billion in long standing pension debt, which had accumulated for several decades dating back to the 1940’s.

— Kevin McNabola, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Broadway producers traditionally gauge audience reaction by warm applause at the end of Act 1 or a standing ovation during curtain call.

— William Earl, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of standing

Verb

Residents in some of those markets continue to raise concerns about drone noise and privacy and how those issues could hurt property values.

— Annie Palmer, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Notably, Schwartzel was one of the few candidates in the race who was actually born and raised in the state.

— Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

Trujillo and Duncan’s aim is to enable people with disabilities to provide for their families and build rewarding lives.

— Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Vintage Modern builds custom cars by hand at its Buford facility, using classic designs as the inspiration while incorporating modern engineering and amenities.

— Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of build

Adjective

The announcement is the latest collaboration between Disney and Webtoon, which has already brought over 20 fan-favorite comics to Webtoon’s vertical-scroll format, available in a dedicated Disney section of the English-language Webtoon app.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
The company plans to lean more on creators with its new Verts vertical video feed on Disney+, a new feature designed to increase engagement.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of vertical

Verb

The sky is painted pastel, and the waves rear up 20-feet-high before thundering onto the shore, over and over.

— Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Julianne Moore’s iconic cry-face has reared its head once again — but, this time, not on a screen big or small.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of rear

Verb

Israel's Ministry of Construction and Housing issued a tender for constructing several compounds with more than 1,200 homes in total in an open tract of land east of Jerusalem.

— Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The group has constructed more than 820 all-terrain wheelchairs; fabricated 900 orthotics and prosthetics; and distributed more than 740 hearing aids.

— Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of construct

Verb

Tiger Woods and Lawson Little are the only Stanford players to have hoisted the Havemeyer Trophy.

— Mercury News staff, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Broward Sheriff’s Office Air Rescue and Water Rescue responded and helped hoist one of the occupants out of the helicopter, according to Battalion Chief Michael Kane.

— Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of hoist

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Style

“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erect. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of erect

adjective

verb

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