1
as in tall
extending to a great distance upward the ever-increasing lofty heights of the world's skyscrapers

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2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude she acts all lofty and superior just because she went to an Ivy League college

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How does the adjective lofty contrast with its synonyms?

The words high and tall are common synonyms of lofty. While all three words mean "above the average in height," lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

When might high be a better fit than lofty?

The meanings of high and lofty largely overlap; however, 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

When can tall be used instead of lofty?

Although the words tall and lofty have much in common, tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.

a tall thin man

Examples of lofty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But to hear receiver Kyron Hudson tell it at media day, the goal wasn’t so lofty. Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 12 Oct. 2024 And so, while its lofty ambitions may be tempered by the aesthetic acrobatics that encase them, Emin’s feature is a wonderfully bizarre creation that feels as cobbled together, unruly yet expansive, as its fearsome monster. Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 7 Oct. 2024 Yes, but: That lofty period ended as interest rates spiked, SPACs cratered, and valuations fell to Earth. Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024 Despite the lofty accolades, the lush open-air cavities of the 461-foot-high structure feel surprisingly intimate. Oscar Holland, CNN, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lofty 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lofty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Lofty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lofty. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

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