HIGH Synonyms: 529 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

high 1 of 3

adjective

ˈhī

Definition of high next

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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Relevance

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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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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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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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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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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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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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as in top

highest in rank or authority high government officials lord high executioner

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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

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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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

In 2018, a live wire broke free from a 100-year-old transmission tower in high winds and sparked the Camp fire, which killed scores of people and destroyed the town of Paradise in Northern California. —

Ivan Penn, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025 Dominant as the changeup is, Kahnle’s reliance on getting hitters to chase the pitch may be part of the reason his walk rates of 10.6 percent and 11.5 percent have been higher than average in each of the past two seasons. —

Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025

Noun

The high is forecast to be 50, and conditions are expected to be mostly cloudy. —

Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2025 The temperature will return to normal on Friday, with the metro seeing a high of 41 degrees. —

Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025

Adverb

The neck scratching continued, the capybara lifting its head high enough that only its nose was visible. —

Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 That’s why Chris C. says that his family installed chain locks high on the exterior doors of their house while caring for his grandmother. —

Korin Miller, SELF, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for high

Recent Examples of Synonyms for high

Adjective

The final center tower devoted to Jesus will be the tallest and the last to be completed, hopefully in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death in 2026.

— Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The kitchen is behind the living room, with tall windows and a suite of new Bosch appliances, including a wall oven.

— Angela Serratore, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025