diagonal 1 of 2

adjective

dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl How to pronounce diagonal (audio)
Definition of diagonalnext
as in oblique
running in a slanting direction The diagonal design ran up the wall all the way from the lower left to the upper right-hand corner.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diagonal

2 of 2

noun

as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon The ramp was set at a low diagonal to make it easier for wheelchairs.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 diagonal
Adjective
Cut on the Diagonal Of course, presentation matters; a diagonal cut helps to elevate the sandwich. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026 Returning to our social network example, R(3,10) could be considered off-diagonal, given that 3 and 10 are reasonably far apart. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 15 July 2026
Noun
The painting, surrounded by scaffolding while the church undergoes repairs, is full of thrusting diagonals and shadowy figures, a meditation on both extreme suffering and pointed indifference to it. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026 Chevrolet has equipped the vehicle with a striking 11-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen, paired with an 8-inch driver information display. — Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diagonal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diagonal
  1. oblique
  2. slope
  3. sloping
  4. inclination
  5. sloped
  6. incline
Adjective
  • Summary The Chicago Cubs are currently shuffling their infield due to Dansby Swanson's oblique injury, moving Nico Hoerner to shortstop and Pedro Ramírez to second base.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • There was the oblique strain in early April that sidelined him for more than a month.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of oblique
Noun
  • Riders go down a steep slope on large inner tubes before hitting a small bump to slow down and finally stopping on a turf patch.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sabrina Blanchard and Luca Matteucci/AFP/Getty The Hindu Kush Himalayan region is warming rapidly, driving major changes in glaciers, snow cover, permafrost and mountain slopes, according to climate scientists.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of slope
Adjective
  • Gates open to a sloping, 700-foot-long driveway that passes by whimsical sculptures before arriving at a spacious cobblestone motor court.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There was a casual feel in Memorial Auditorium in the hour before game time, as children kicked a ball around on the auditorium’s sloping floor.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of sloping
Noun
  • Collectively, that inclination could lead to bills soaring ever higher.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But analysts at the time cautioned that Beijing had neither the capability nor inclination to pressure either side into negotiating.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of inclination
Adjective
  • Following their 1967 nuptials, Elvis and Priscilla spent their honeymoon in Palm Springs at William Krisel’s House of Tomorrow, a 4,695-square-foot modernist abode sectioned off into four circular spaces under a long, sloped roof.
    — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Common areas feature self-operating lifts or sloped entryways.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 July 2026
Definition of sloped
Noun
  • The imposing gate and incline signal that privacy is one of the adults-only resort’s strongest assets, attracting high-profile guests like Katy Perry and Sir Paul McCartney.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Pro version utilizes dual 250-W all-wheel-drive hubs to generate the torque to climb an impressive 15% hill incline.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of incline

Phrases Containing diagonal

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diagnostics
diagonal
diagonally
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Cite this Entry

“Diagonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diagonal. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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