Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective tall contrast with its synonyms?

The words high and lofty are common synonyms of tall. While all three words mean "above the average in height," tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.

a tall thin man

When can high be used instead of tall?

Although the words high and tall have much in common, 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 would lofty be a good substitute for tall?

While in some cases nearly identical to tall, lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

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 tall My neighbor just won the tallest Christmas tree competition. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2024 The carbon fiber fuselage accommodates the wider side-by-side seating arrangement, and the craft stands just over 9 feet (2.7 m) tall. New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2024 KitchenAid Universal Nesting Plastic Mixing Bowls $32 $13 Amazon This set of nesting plastic mixing bowls from KitchenAid felt comfortable to hold during testing and were tall enough to prevent any major splatters. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 2 Dec. 2024 One of the girls is quite tall, the other quite short. David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tall 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall
Adjective
  • Federal regulators predict strong economic growth and a more robust job market in 2025, along with higher inflation.
    Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Shares closed on Wednesday at 1,601 yen, higher than the offer price of 1,455 yen per share, which was the midpoint of its IPO price band ranging from 1,390-1,520 yen.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The day of his funeral was an incredibly difficult one for his grieving widow Barbara, their four adult children, including Kordisch Tucker, and his grandchildren.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Weightiness in Its Black and White Cinematography Co-star Nicholas Hoult had his own experience dealing with these difficult scene partners and decided to make the best of it by having fun with some of his fellow players, including Bill Skarsgård, who plays the blood-thirsty creature Count Orlok.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In past years, Quiroz has made towering displays with seven distinct levels.
    Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
  • Here, two black feather wreaths (available at many craft stores), accented with long lengths of shimmery silver ribbon, dress up the towering front doors.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2022
Adjective
  • Gracefully opting out Navigating the discomfort of setting boundaries around gift-giving traditions can be challenging.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
  • But living on the coast has become more challenging in recent years.
    Corina Knoll, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The clients’ storefronts are positioned to succeed in a sometimes tough marketplace by focusing on exclusivity and quality.
    Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • In a time when people approach political, social and economic issues with a different set of information and fake news is rampant, the best way to do that is to approach tough conversations with stories rather than facts.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.
    Alia Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • The Chiefs also have rookie Xavier Worthy, but the team needs another receiver on par with Hopkins to ensure the offense stays formidable.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • By her 30th birthday, Giovanni was regularly publishing poems that tapped into the transformative power of focusing inward as a community—and working through what that meant in practice alongside formidable intellectuals such as James Baldwin.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The legal profession has long been recognized for its rigorous standards and competitive environment.
    Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The finding that Israel has perpetrated genocide is a conclusion based on painstaking research and rigorous legal analysis.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near tall

Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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