ALTITUDE Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'altitude' contrast with its synonyms?

The words elevation and height are common synonyms of altitude . While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land. // fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters // Denver is a city with a high elevation

Q: When is 'height' a more appropriate choice than 'altitude'?

In some situations, the words height and altitude are roughly equivalent. However, height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low. // a wall two meters in height

altitude

noun

ˈal-tə-ˌtüd

Definition of altitude next

as in elevation

the distance of something or someone from bottom to top the altitude of the highest mountain in the U.S. is only about two thirds that of the highest mountain in the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in hill

usually altitudes plural an area of high ground the air is thinner at higher altitudes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun altitude contrast with its synonyms?

The words elevation and height are common synonyms of altitude. While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land.

fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters

Denver is a city with a high elevation

When is height a more appropriate choice than altitude?

In some situations, the words height and altitude are roughly equivalent. However, height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

Examples 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 altitude The nuclear-capable missile traveled 621 miles and reached a maximum altitude of over 4,349 miles, the highest-ever for one of the North's missiles. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 South Korea and Japan have also condemned the launch, which Tokyo said reached an altitude of 4,350 miles and flew a distance of about 620 miles. —

Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 Meanwhile, languages spoken at higher altitudes used more ejective consonants. —

Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Exercising with limited oxygen, like at high altitudes, is another hormetic pairing being researched. —

Matt Fuchs, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for altitude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for altitude

Noun

The heaviest rains later in the week were also expected to hit the North Bay, with higher elevations set to receive another three-fourths of an inch of rain, with about one-third of an inch of rain forecast around Santa Rosa and over San Francisco.

Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Higher elevations, especially Colorado’s mountain passes, are forecast to get more than 3 feet of fresh snowfall by Friday morning.

Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024