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

At the same time, private schools are welcome to erect language, cultural and special education exclusions. — Denise Forte, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026 Outside Silver Rail Elementary on Saturday, four small crosses with hearts and handwritten messages were erected at a growing makeshift memorial for the victims. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for erect

Adjective

Now there are rails suspended from the ceiling and an honest-to-goodness cash register in the front, with dressing rooms and more standing racks in the back half of the space, totaling 940 square feet.

— Max Berlinger, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
The Russian star's two kids handled that announcement, and the crowd gave a standing ovation.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of standing

Verb

In 2022, the central bank raised rates by three-quarters of a point six days before the midterm elections, part of its fight against the worst inflation in four decades.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
And the evidence uncovered by Chair Loudermilk raises serious questions about Speaker Pelosi's role in those decisions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

Fellow delivery workers built a memorial outside the grocery store, according to the station.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
In order to be helpful, Muse constantly builds extensive dossiers of users and their desires, social relationships, and messaging behaviors, TIME’s Harry Booth reported this month.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of build

Adjective

Over recent years, ambitious and headline-grabbing solutions to transportation problems have been unveiled in South Florida, from vertical jet ports to autonomous vehicles.

— Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Urquiola paid homage to the existing building by highlighting its external structure and ensuring that the interior design engages with the orderly geometry of the façade’s vertical lines.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of vertical

Verb

The process was particularly intricate, as each interlacing detail on the bodice had to be carefully constructed by weaving hundreds of meters of rouleau and while maintaining the tension and precision of the corsetry underneath.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Knight said the First Baptist Church roots began in the mid-18th century, and the current building was constructed in 1846.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of construct

Adjective

Turn the volume up and that pinhole dilates, revealing swirling galaxies of vocal harmonies, upright bass plucks, and cascading piano runs.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
Thanks to the single-floor layout, both are easy to access without awkwardly climbing ladders and both also offer ample headroom to stand upright.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of upright

Verb

Then it was hoisted up repeatedly to the helicopter where the crew got each person into the aircraft before lowering the basket again.

— Jaimie Ding, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The song is a dreamy barn-raiser, hoisting this premise on warm guitar tones and a plaintive tone that proves a through-line throughout the record.

— Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of hoist

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“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erect. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of erect

adjective

verb

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