diagonal 1 of 2

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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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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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
Her bodycon mermaid skirt was covered in diagonal rows of slits, exposing glimpses of her legs, hips, and butt. Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 July 2026 While the change is tiny, their proof marks the first improvement for near-diagonal Ramsey numbers in 50 years. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 26 June 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
Adjective
  • Mayfield, who turned 31 in April, appeared on the Bucs’ injury report 10 out of 18 weeks with issues that spanned his foot, toe, knee, right biceps, oblique and right shoulder.
    Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026
  • Altuve did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning from his oblique injury.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Several hours later, rescuers carried the injured on stretchers and recovered the dead in makeshift carts, painstakingly hauling them back up the rugged slope, official Noor Zaman said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • This hard-working plant tolerates heat, drought, salt, and humidity, and provides good soil stabilization on slopes.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Watch for soft spots on floors, uneven or sloping flooring, cracks in walls and warped materials.
    Ryan Brennan May 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
  • As part of his new collection for the brand, Arnold unveiled a new shape—a slightly sloping, almost smile-like pleat that’s simultaneously nonchalant and fully sophisticated.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Spiritual progress requires fighting against the natural downward inclination of our souls—though fighting, oddly, is also the problem.
    Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • Getty Choosing a college major has always been a big life decision, influenced by not only personal inclinations and talents, but also by starting salaries.
    Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Even the roof can be chosen in a flat, gable, or sloped style, with interior configurations to match.
    Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 22 June 2026
  • His sloped shoulders suggested bodily power that was sleepy and sly; his large head and dark, badly cut hair amplified the weight and solidity of him, but his lips were sensitive and a little slack, as if yearning for something he’d been long deprived of.
    Mary Gaitskill, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The riverfront includes steep inclines, large rocks and uneven ground that can be difficult for workers or machinery to manage safely.
    Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026
  • Temperatures will be on the incline, reaching into the 90s by lunchtime and the upper 90s by the late afternoon.
    Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Diagonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diagonal. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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