Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

tangent

[tan-juhnt] / ˈtæn dʒənt /
ADJECTIVE
touching
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But as any viewer of his HBO series, “How to With John Wilson,” will know, he is a master, probably unequaled, of the art of the tangent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

After the reflecting pool tangent, Trump signed executive orders on US customs and protections for civil servants.

From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026

Later on, there’s a significant tangent into grainy video, a music performance that deserves to be left a surprise.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2026

"Some of them will run straight, some of them will not start at all, some of them will go off on a tangent or bite each other," she explained.

From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2025

To draw a tangent line at any given point, it’s best to make a guess.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

The tangents, the idiosyncrasies of the hosts and the glimpses of private life leave listeners feeling connected.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2025

They are deployed for pauses and interruptions in speech; they precede bursts of exposition, neat summings-up and lengthy tangents.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2025

Our conversation goes on many tangents — the sitcom “Designing Women,” the Oscar race, the musical “Wicked.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2024

A dilettante prone to colorful tangents, he sees Molly as an object of fascination and a personal cause.

From New York Times ● May 29, 2024

He knew he couldn't tell stories, that he always included extraneous details and tangents that interested only him.

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green




Vocabulary lists containing tangent


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com