high 1 of 3

adjective

ˈhī How to pronounce high (audio)
Definition of highnext
1
as in tall
extending to a great distance upward as the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest is mountaineering's holy grail

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2
as in increased
being at a higher level than average gasoline prices are high right now a high fever people with high incomes

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3
as in elevated
located at a greater height than average or usual an eagle's nest high on the cliff an old house with high ceilings

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4
as in higher
being far along in development a cabal of self-proclaimed Luddites who argued that the evils of high technology far outweighed its virtues

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5
as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol not only has he never been high, he has never even tasted alcohol

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6
as in expensive
commanding a large price the concert tickets weren't cheap—you don't even want to know how high they were

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7
as in great
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature she had the highest intentions, but her "help" turned out to be a disaster

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8
as in top
highest in rank or authority high government officials lord high executioner

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9
as in ripped
being under the influence of a recreational drug he's clean now, but when he was younger he used to get high every day

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high

2 of 3

noun

1
as in ecstasy
a state of overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion it took days for the high of the World Series win to wear off

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2
as in sky
the expanse of air surrounding the earth V formations of honking geese on high mean winter will soon be here

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high

3 of 3

adverb

as in large
in a luxurious manner after he had won the lottery Philip lived pretty high—until all the money was gone

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective high contrast with its synonyms?

The words lofty and tall are common synonyms of high. While all three words mean "above the average in height," high implies marked extension upward and is applied chiefly to things which rise from a base or foundation or are placed at a conspicuous height above a lower level.

a high hill
a high ceiling

In what contexts can lofty take the place of high?

Although the words lofty and high have much in common, lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

When might tall be a better fit than high?

The words tall and high can be used in similar contexts, but tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.

a tall thin man

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 high
Adjective
Hg or higher) and excess protein in their urine, known as proteinuria, which can signify kidney damage. —Korin Miller, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025 This is the highest three-day intensity of the year. —Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
In the last year, the average age of American homebuyers rose by six years — to a historic high of 56, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2024 Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers. —Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2025 Daily highs will be in the low 80s. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2025
Adverb
The Nasdaq went into a bear market Friday — now down almost 23% from its Dec. 16 all-time closing high. —Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025 The compilation has never risen to high on all three tallies. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for high
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high
  1. tall
  2. increased
  3. elevated
  4. drunk
  5. expensive
  6. great
  7. top
  8. ripped
Adjective
  • The suspect was described as a man about 6 feet tall who had his face covered.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Keep a distance from tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of tall
Adjective
  • Those opposed to a carbon levy, such as Brazil, China and Saudi Arabia, have raised concerns over economic competitiveness and increased inequalities.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • That's particularly due to increased demands and societal pressures that are greatly fueled by social media.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of increased
Adjective
  • That top-grain Italian leather will feel silky under your hand, and the elevated accessory also bears all the details of a designer handbag (adjustable strap; careful stitching; card pockets).
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • What's Being Recalled And Why The voluntary recall was initiated by Cabot’s parent company, Agri-Mark, Inc., on March 26, 2025, after internal testing detected elevated levels of coliform bacteria.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of elevated
Adjective
  • Stephen O’Connell, a 38-year-old Boston police officer, is accused of driving drunk when his vehicle slammed into an unmarked Boston police cruiser just after 12 a.m. April 1 on a road in Weymouth, Massachusetts State Police said in an April 2 news release shared with McClatchy News.
    — Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The truck driver, believed to have been drunk, was arrested by Chief Wilson himself.
    — Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of drunk
Adjective
  • Your daily cup of joe could get even more expensive under new U.S. tariffs on dozens of countries around the world.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Vaccines are among the most successful tools in public health’s arsenal, preventing debilitating illnesses and lowering the need for expensive medical care.
    — DEVI SHASTRI, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of expensive
Adjective
  • However, the Canadians are doing less, which forces the U.S. to take on a greater share of the responsibility.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Development and learning Playing with car seat toys is a great way for babies to learn.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder have already locked down the top Western Conference playoff seed, but the draft is still something the franchise is looking ahead to.
    — Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Universal Music Group was the only California company to land on Forbes’ list of the top 10 midsize employers in the nation, although a total of three California universities earned spots in the top 20.
    — Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of top
Adjective
  • Hal and Whitney would sit around the living room on the ripped couch and talk about sailing the world.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Luckily, Frank Grillo plays a ripped scientist who is close to a cure, but also has to worry about keeping his family safe during yet another supermoon.
    — William Earl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of ripped

Phrases Containing high

Browse Nearby Words

higgledy-piggledy
high
high and dry
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Cite this Entry

“High.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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