cross-sectional

adjective

as in fragmentary

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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 cross-sectional The study was cross-sectional, meaning everyone was assessed once rather than followed over time. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Oct. 2026 One concerning cross-sectional study on 600 women found that cell phone use was linked to a spontaneous loss of their pregnancy, particularly among mothers who engaged in longer call times and used their phone for more applications. — New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026 The study used cross-sectional data from 2018 to 2024 taken from more than 114,000 respondents to the National Health Interview Survey, which is administered by the US Census Bureau. — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026 Bonnie Mitchell, a licensed professional clinical counselor in California, noted that this was an observational, cross-sectional study. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Electrons passing through the two paths pass through the conduction states and through slightly different cross-sectional areas of the nanowire, causing their oscillations at different periods, thereby producing the beating pattern. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 Because the study was cross-sectional, the findings show an association and do not prove that skipping breakfast causes lower grades. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 Strength and toughness describe a material’s performance after accounting for a strand’s tiny cross-sectional area or volume. — Aliasger K. Salem, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026 The 4-pin XLR / 3m cable has larger cross-sectional conductors to maintain low resistance over its extended length, with high-strength PFA insulation for durability and electrical performance. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross-sectional
  1. fragmentary
  2. partial
  3. sectional
  4. divisional
  5. local
Adjective
  • Fastidious critics are left with nothing but crumbs to scatter on a trail of discussion leading to the door of a theatre, and readers have to extrapolate critics’ full opinions from the fragmentary account that could be written before release.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Both also explore attempts to understand someone who is gone through fragmentary memory, using images as a bridge between the living and the dead.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of fragmentary
Adjective
  • Their role becomes clear at 21-, 36- and 52-Across, where the clues solve to partial entries, which can be completed only by using the entry spaces of those dash clues.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Other partial successes include NATO’s intervention in Kosovo in 1999, in which a 78-day air campaign led Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic to withdraw his forces.
    — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of partial
Adjective
  • The Red Devils, who lost that matchup last season, also will be among the contenders for their first sectional title since 2021.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Quantity is what the internet warehouse is primarily known for, but this specific sale is great for shopping select living room and bedroom furniture, like staple sectional sofas and sturdy bed frames for up 50% off.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sectional
Adjective
  • The Titans finally won a game, knocking off a divisional rival, the Indianapolis Colts, 26-20.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Swift was at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs’ divisional matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of divisional
Adjective
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens last month to avoid foreign travel and buying gold, to ease the pressure on the local currency.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Thanks in part to the unique London arrangement, the team’s local revenue ranked 25th.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of local

Browse Nearby Words

cross section
cross-sectional
cross sections
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Cite this Entry

“Cross-sectional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross-sectional. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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