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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
There will be other plumb roles, including that of Mr Rochester, the brooding master of Thornfield Hall. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026 On Tuesday morning, the parking lot and the gravel road near the Oglala Commodity Warehouse in Pine Ridge was plumb-full of pick-up trucks and cars. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Both the shower and kitchen sink are plumbed to a 151-L fresh water tank through a Truma Combi Eco Plus water and air heater unit. — New Atlas, 4 June 2026 Entertainment giants are truly grasping for any hint of intellectual property this days — including by plumbing the depths of random playground games. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 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
  • Roupp fought to stay in the game and record the first complete game of his career, but at 104 pitches, Vitello went to his bullpen to seal the blowout win instead of pushing his starter.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • These days, a complete Wirkkala set can fetch upwards of $3,600.
    — Jessica Salter, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of complete
Adjective
  • Thanks to this vertical ecosystem, stretching from the Apple Watch through iPhone and iPad to the Mac, Apple’s retail pricing has more flexibility than a traditional smartphone manufacturer.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Bradley Barcola provides a vertical threat with his speed while Olise is the creator that knits everything together.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of vertical
Adverb
  • Get the best meats, poultry and seafood delivered straight to your doorstep with a Good Chop subscription and score a free Blackstone Griddle with your 3rd order.
    — Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Amazon has deals on the exact brands the multi-hyphenate wears and raves about, plus pieces pulled straight from her playbook (cough, her Instagram, cough).
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of straight
Adverb
  • The clambake is ready when the clams have fully opened, the potatoes are tender, the broth is bubbling and the sausage is heated through.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Do not try to relight or retrieve fireworks that have not fully ignited.
    — Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of fully
Adverb
  • Affidavits supporting the Johnsons’ arrests were not immediately available Friday evening.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
  • Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of immediately
Verb
  • The pair is also known for scaling buildings around the world.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Since relocating to Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s small downtown team has scaled Happy Organics into a design-forward brand carried by major retailers, anchored in local maker communities and a sense of purpose.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of scale
Adjective
  • Questioning, if not rejecting, established Christian doctrine, Ahab also comes to regard Moby Dick as the outward and visible sign, the physical embodiment of the indifference or, worse, utter malignity inherent in the universe.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • But the nation’s summer has been an utter slog, lacking the identity and joy on the pitch that spectators have come to expect.
    — Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • My posture is erect, gait easy, expression flat, uninterested.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 May 2026
  • Plants add stunning texture and shining color to the garden with metallic, lavender-blue bracts surrounding flowers that stand erect on purple stems.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 May 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plumb

Nglish: Translation of plumb for Spanish Speakers

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