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

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 tall The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, which is the world’s tallest building. Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025 The button bush is not a diminutive plant, reaching up to 12 feet tall by 4 feet wide at maturity. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025 Paranoid – Black Sabbath If Black Sabbath was the birth of doom, Paranoid was the moment the monster lurched to its feet, six stories tall and stomping toward the future of heavy music. Darryn King, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 Georgia is hoping the receiving situation can be helped: Receivers Noah Thomas (a Texas A&M transfer) and Colbie Young (reinstated) give him two tall receivers at the X spot that Beck didn’t have last year. Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall
Adjective
  • Jobs are at their highest levels in city history, crime is down across the five boroughs, and people are coming back to the greatest city on the globe.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
  • But there are various risks associated with them if consumed in high levels or consistently.
    Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • As college sports continues its rapid professionalization, the ACC is in a difficult spot.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Better yet, head to the east side of the park to Two Medicine Valley, which is full of trails leading to ice-blue backcountry lakes and towering peaks.
    Graham Averill, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2025
  • In past years, Quiroz has made towering displays with seven distinct levels.
    Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Adjective
  • Join 27 others in the comments View Comments The more surgeries that are performed over a lifetime, the higher potential there is for traumatized tissue, Dr. Truesdale added, noting that revision operations are inherently more challenging.
    Leah Dolan, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The process of making tea is a fun little minigame, but nothing especially challenging.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The opening weekend miss for what was a very buzzy Sundance title back in 2023 about a troubled but ambitious bodybuilder follows controversy around its star and comes at a tough time for indie films in general.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
  • As long as Flagg is on the floor, the Blue Devils will be a tough out.
    Tobias Bass, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
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
  • The five-year commemoration of that day is particularly hard for Jennifer, who usually shies away from talking publicly about her loss.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Connecticut’s offense is formidable, but its defense is suspect.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • In the vast plains of North America, a formidable predator once reigned supreme.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These competitions are known for their rigorous judging processes and high standards, making their results highly respected in the wine industry.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Cigarette smoking, immune system disorders, rigorous exercise, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, and surgical removal of the ovaries can all cause vaginal dryness.
    Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

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