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 At one point, the smoke from the homes was so thick and tall that it could be seen by air traffic controllers at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, about two miles away, Guzman said. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025 The gear is museum-worthy – muskets longer than men are tall, coats ranging from rich brocade to dun homespun. Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025 The suspect was described as a man about 6 feet tall who had his face covered. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025 Tucker is 6 feet tall, the average height of newborn calves after birth. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall
Adjective
  • Some products, though, could face duties higher than 145 percent.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • From the foyer, an ethanol fireplace encased in slabs of polished stone anchors a lounge beneath ceilings over 10 feet high.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Third, operational command of Kamikaze planes is difficult because results cannot be evaluated with any accuracy.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, the major drama comes in the form of Ivy’s corruption by her acting coach, as Ivy gradually goes method and becomes as difficult to work with as Marilyn was (one of this musical’s many meta moments).
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 11 Apr. 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
  • Despite a challenging period for many luxury labels, in October, reports indicated LOEWE’s sales had increased 27.5% YoY. In March, long-time Creative Director Jonathan Anderson left the label, and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez were appointed.
    Seth Matlins, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Deriving the mesoscopic from the microscopic, on the other hand, has been much more mathematically challenging.
    Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the next two years, Muhammad rang up five more victories against progressively tougher competition.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • On the other side, the Grizzlies had an even tougher time with Curry, who finished with 52 points on 16-of-31 shooting.
    Anthony Slater, New York Times, 14 Apr. 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
  • Wang has $106,000 in independent support, the majority of it from Empower Oakland, a nonprofit co-founded by mayoral candidate Loren Taylor that has emerged as a formidable funding arm in the city’s politics.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Cornyn is considered a formidable fundraiser; he’s brought in more than $415 million during his time in the Senate.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.
    Keagan Ostop, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Biking is smooth and the frame is sturdy, heavy and durable enough to handle rigorous cycling.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!