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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Whitehead plumbed his boyhood fondness for horror movies in Zone One (2011), a zombie apocalypse novel set in a post-9/11 lower Manhattan in the wake of a pandemic. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026 Readers can return to a text and plumb it for new meaning and understanding. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 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
  • To defeat Iran would be a complete victory, not only for Israel but for the entire Middle East.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Those tests should reveal how well the modular architecture performs once individual components operate as part of a complete launcher.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of complete
Adjective
  • Stipp emphasizes Suja Life's long-term vision, vertical integration, and brand-building expertise, aiming for sustained double-digit growth despite current market challenges.
    — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • That kind of vertical integration is becoming an increasingly important strategy across China’s EV industry.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of vertical
Adverb
  • Because this round of expansion was primarily driven by price increases, much of the additional revenue flowed straight to the bottom line.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Then the judge looked closely at the deal that had been struck, which included a provision to proceed straight to sentencing and recommend a short term of probation.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of straight
Adverb
  • By the end of that first part, Russia had invaded Ukraine, TV Rain had been fully banned, and all of Loktev’s subjects had finally left their country.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Highly reflective blinds can reduce it by around 45% when fully closed.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of fully
Adverb
  • But that bipartisan effort was immediately panned by conservative groups, and little else has emerged as a serious solution.
    — Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Though freshman Jackson Cantwell likely could have stepped in immediately at left tackle, the junior Okunlola has the game experience (albeit mostly at guard) that should serve him well in taking on the opponent’s best edge rusher.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of immediately
Verb
  • Here, the company’s founder and president of the board Carlos Pereira de Souza discusses DelRio’s competitive advantages, its plans to further scale its business and what sets Brazil apart as a sourcing destination.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As adoption scales from a pilot of a few hundred employees to thousands of AI agents running continuously across customer service, product data and supply chain workflows, token costs become a bigger deal.
    — Adrian Carr, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of scale
Adjective
  • This Ninth — featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and four superb vocal soloists (Saioa Hernández, Tamara Mumford, David Portillo and Ryan Speedo Green) — became Beethoven, alive in the moment, an instrument of utter joy.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sweet, aromatic, and bubblegum pink, this playful cocktail is the utter definition of fun.
    — Bradleigh Mobley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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