erect 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈrekt How to pronounce erect (audio)
Definition of erectnext
as in standing
rising straight up a lone tree remained erect after the terrible tornado had passed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

erect

2 of 2

verb

1
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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2
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
The temple is thought to have been erected sometime during the third century CE, when the nearby Kapersburg fort was established as part of Rome’s frontier in Germania. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026 However, there's a planet-sized difference between sending a 1,025-kg (2,260-lb) craft, the heaviest of the rovers, and sending enough materials to erect a functional building. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erect
  1. standing
  2. raise
  3. build
  4. vertical
  5. rear
  6. construct
  7. upright
  8. hoist
Adjective
  • Crucially, structures have matured past equity into standing credit facilities.
    — Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The 43-year-old right-hander, a 10-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner over 21 major league seasons, left the field for the final time, holding his daughter's hand, as the Comerica Park crowd gave him a standing ovation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of standing
Verb
  • Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex questions of federal and state law raised by the case.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Boat trips to Capri and Positano are on the doorstep, as are hair-raising Vespa tours on hairpin roads and private visits to Pompei and Herculaneum.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • By comparison, human advisors can build a comprehensive financial plan — including investing, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and more — based on your specific goals.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • By the end of last year, 65 Marriott associates provided more than 680 hours of mentorship, helping refugee women build confidence and job skills, as well as find opportunities for work.
    — Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of build
Adjective
  • Despite its short episode length, the show is designed for streaming services and even TV networks, but not microdrama platforms, having been created before the vertical video craze took off.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The company set a deal last October with Holywater Tech, parent company of the My Drama and My Muse vertical media apps, to produce 200 microdramas over two years.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of vertical
Verb
  • In Malaysia, that same complexity reared its head in frustrating fashion.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Young Sly was a prime candidate for a life of thuggery, reared by parents who had no business raising kids.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of rear
Verb
  • Sharply constructed, this is the kind of old-fashioned horror movie that Hitchcock would have liked.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • German accessories label Melina Bucher has used the material for the Arch Woven, a rounded shoulder bag constructed from narrow strips cut and interlaced by hand.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of construct
Adjective
  • The acrylic, vertical files keep purses upright and prevent them from falling over.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Although most planets spin with their rotational axes generally upright with respect to their orbital plane, Uranus exhibits an extreme axial tilt, causing its spin to resemble something more akin to a steady roll.
    — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of upright
Verb
  • Mazda Motor’s flag and Japanese national flag are hoisted at the company headquarters in Fuchu-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan July 15, 2025.
    — Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Kevin Kopp hoists flag Former KU defensive lineman Kevin Kopp, a starter on the Jayhawks’ 1995 Aloha Bowl team, hoisted the Kansas flag in the southeast corner of the stadium in Saturday’s pregame flag-raising ceremony.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of hoist

Browse Nearby Words

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erect
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Cite this Entry

“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erect. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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