plumb 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of plumbnext
1
as in complete
having no exceptions or restrictions a horror movie that's plumb trash and further evidence of the deterioration of popular culture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

1
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
2
as in fully
chiefly dialect to a full extent or degree I'm plumb tuckered out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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 sharp, plumb bow and the hull that slowly widens aft, for example, reduce resistance and drag. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026 There will be other plumb roles, including that of Mr Rochester, the brooding master of Thornfield Hall. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Readers can return to a text and plumb it for new meaning and understanding. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 But even as Moon landings, space shuttles, and reusable rockets seized the headlines, Link, along with a stubborn handful of engineers, explorers, and flat-out dreamers, kept plumbing the ocean instead. — Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plumb
  1. complete
  2. vertical
  3. straight
  4. fully
  5. immediately
  6. scale
  7. utter
  8. erect
Adjective
  • Craig said construction of the first stage of the Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan was 84% complete.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But a complete turnover on defense, coupled with nonconference games at Georgia Tech and Northwestern, will lead to another losing season, after which both sides move in different directions.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of complete
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
Adverb
  • The three-time All-Star gingerly walked past her team’s bench and straight to the locker room.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Under the black cape, trash can helmet and ample body armor straight out of a low-budget sci-fi film, Binface’s alter-ego is Jon Harvey, a middle-aged comedian who has spent much of the campaign trying to keep his cool during a sweltering summer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of straight
Adverb
  • The study hypothesized that the sickle was added before the body fully decomposed since no joints were detached or displaced, as archaeologists would expect if a grave were to be disturbed after the body became a skeleton.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Most famously, Iwao Hakamada spent decades on death row over a 1966 quadruple murder before being released in 2014 and fully exonerated in 2024 at the age of 88.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of fully
Adverb
  • Clark immediately started limping and grimaced as she was subbed out.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of committing immediately to a single vehicle architecture, the Army is effectively subjecting multiple approaches to the same test regime and allowing battlefield performance to determine which ones deserve further investment.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of immediately
Verb
  • As residents complain and other communities, such as Monroe County and Sumpter Township, have scaled back or decided against Flock cameras, Waterford police have no plans to take down these cameras anytime soon.
    — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Related Articles The majority of the Lust works are modestly scaled with low values, likely to be sold during day sales, but around 10 are considered major works, the top lot almost certainly a large sculpture by Alberto Giacometti.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of scale
Adjective
  • In both cases, there is something at once magisterial and leadenly self-regarding about the melancholic rhythms of Cusk’s prose, with its stiff and stately syntax and its utter impatience with the real vagaries of difference.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Carolina Panthers played their offensive starters for three series on Saturday, and the result was an utter flop.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • Closing the loop Workers erect scaffolding at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, June 12, 2026.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Black bears have a broad skull, small eyes, erect ears, thick fur, and a short tail.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 July 2026
Definition of erect

Phrases Containing plumb

Browse Nearby Words

plum
plumb
plumbed
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on plumb

Nglish: Translation of plumb for Spanish Speakers

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