I. adjective
standing up straight
the dog's erect ears pricked forward
Synonyms: arrect, raised, stand-up, straight-up, upright, upstanding
Related Word: erectile; elevated, lifted, upraised; perpendicular, standing, vertical
Contrasted words: decumbent, flat, prostrate, recumbent; drooping, hanging, pendent
II. verb
1.
Synonyms: build 1, construct, put up, raise, rear, uprear
2.
Synonyms: make 3, build, construct, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, manufacture, produce
Related Word: compose, create; make up, run up
Contrasted words: demolish, destroy, tear up, unbuild, wreck
3.
to fix in an upright position
erected a flagpole
Synonyms: put up, raise, rear, set up; compare build 1
Related Word: elevate, heighten, hoist, lift, upraise, uprear; upend
4.
Synonyms: exalt 1, aggrandize, dignify, distinguish, ennoble, glorify, honor, magnify, sublime, uprear
Idioms: put on a pedestal
Antonyms: abase
5.
to bring into existence as if by raising a building
erect social barriers along religious lines
Synonyms: build up, construct, establish, hammer (out), set up
Related Word: fabricate, fashion, forge, form, shape; bring about, effect
Contrasted words: break down, tear down; liquidate, purge; dispose (of), eliminate, remove