Synonym Chooser

How does the noun elevation contrast with its synonyms?

The words altitude and height are common synonyms of elevation. 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 can height be used instead of elevation?

The words height and elevation can be used in similar contexts, but height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

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 elevation In this instance, extreme water demand meant that the tanks at high elevations in the Palisades area outpaced supply. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 That drop first affected locations at the highest elevations, meaning the homes in the hills. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025 This is an easy and moderately short loop that winds through varied scenery without much substantial change in elevation. Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2025 Stand on a step exactly one mile above sea level While other state capitals may be at higher elevations than Denver (hello Cheyenne and Santa Fe), only the Colorado State Capitol can boast a marker that is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. Mindy Sink, The Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for elevation 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elevation
Noun
  • Pricing and promotions will also be a key to success.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
  • If the case does proceed to trial, experts say, a jury could be turned off by the way DraftKings marketed its promotion offer to novice customers.
    Sean Gregory / Boston, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Mulholland Drive—the actual street—abuts the back of David’s property and threads through the hills that bisect Los Angeles.
    Will Bahr, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2025
  • That giant world is impressively dense and visually diverse, with hills dotting the horizon, rice paddy fields stretching into the distance, and huge castles looming over villages.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Scores of other active projects would be discussed in other meetings, on other days—including museum spaces in Bilbao, Madrid, and San Diego, and a proposal for a tower in Riyadh that, at a height of two kilometres, would be more than twice as tall as any building ever built.
    Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Quite frankly, Moicano is far from being at Makhachev’s lofty height.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In 2025, air passengers will see lounge openings and changes in frequent flier programs, and the number of premium and elite offerings will continue at a steady ascent.
    Christine Chung, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • All 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster powered the rocket to a nominal ascent.
    Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Kershaw, who underwent knee and foot surgeries this offseason, is not yet throwing off a mound, but has progressed in his throwing program.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • At the Olympics, the mound was more there as an aesthetic.
    Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • So far, however, climate modelers haven't been able to understand the effects of gravity waves that occur at higher altitudes.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The findings offer new insights into the lifestyle and behaviors of one of our ancient ancestors, building on other recent research that found H. erectus lived at high altitudes in present-day Ethiopia.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Their efforts focus on solving key challenges that have impeded the advancement of fusion technology for over seventy years.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
  • In 2025 After much advancement and excitement around AI technologies in 2024, the coming year promises to be much more measured and thoughtful.
    Arjun Pillai, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Once the backcountry skiers were located on the mountain, air support learned two of the three men were injured and could not walk.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2025
  • His words resonate against images of the changing face of denuded mountains, pointing up a key theme now more relevant than ever — the cost to nature of man’s progress.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near elevation

Cite this Entry

“Elevation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elevation. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on elevation

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