Synonyms of lofty

lofty

adjective

ˈlȯf-tē 

1

as in tall

extending to a great distance upward

the ever-increasing lofty heights of the world's skyscrapers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tall
• high
• towering
• altitudinous
• eminent
• prominent
• dominant
• elevated
• dominating
• lifted
• uplifted
• statuesque
• raised
• high-rise
• upswept

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• short
• squat
• flat
• low-lying
• stubby
• stumpy

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogant
• superior
• cavalier
• important
• supercilious
• bumptious
• high-and-mighty
• haughty
• assumptive
• pretentious
• dominant
• uppish
• uppity
• pompous
• domineering
• sniffy
• chesty
• presumptuous
• masterful
• smug
• imperious
• high-handed
• highfalutin
• high-hat
• huffy
• toplofty
• dominating
• lordly
• presuming
• huffish
• peremptory
• authoritarian
• pontifical
• proud
• overweening
• self-assertive
• patronizing
• magisterial
• boastful
• impudent
• condescending
• vainglorious
• bombastic
• self-asserting
• snobbish
• saucy
• snobby
• snooty
• vain
• egocentric
• bossy
• stiff-necked
• disdainful
• hubristic
• blusterous
• cocky
• narcissistic
• conceited
• blustery
• pontificating
• swaggering
• egotistic
• egoistic
• impertinent
• braggy
• immodest
• complacent
• uninhibited
• self-complacent
• bragging
• prideful
• self-satisfied
• braggart
• self-centered
• self-conceited
• self-flattering
• extroverted
• stuck-up
• unreserved
• brash
• self-affected
• self-applauding
• self-promoting
• self-pleased
• orgulous
• self-loving
• forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• lowly
• unpretentious
• timid
• subdued
• shy
• bashful
• diffident
• sheepish
• shrinking
• passive
• demure
• unassuming
• introverted
• mousy
• meek
• deferential
• unobtrusive
• compliant
• unarrogant
• yielding
• quiet
• unassertive
• submissive
• unaggressive
• acquiescent
• overmodest
• self-critical
• reserved
• cringing
• self-doubting
• retiring
• cowering

3

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself

his lofty attitude toward menial chores really rankles the other camp counselors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proud
• arrogant
• superior
• haughty
• smug
• cavalier
• disdainful
• selfish
• highfalutin
• prideful
• lordly
• domineering
• important
• vainglorious
• confident
• dominating
• high-sounding
• supercilious
• pretentious
• vain
• conceited
• egotistic
• snobbish
• egoistic
• uppity
• pompous
• complacent
• bombastic
• boastful
• self-important
• condescending
• swaggering
• overbearing
• impudent
• patronizing
• cocky
• presumptuous
• self-satisfied
• self-contented
• self-conceited
• peremptory
• brassy
• audacious
• cheeky
• saucy
• egocentric
• overconfident
• sniffy
• overweening
• bold
• stuck-up
• self-assertive
• bloated
• imperious
• masterful
• magisterial
• brash
• impertinent
• cocksure
• self-glorifying
• bossy
• forward
• sure
• self-assured
• high-handed
• self-centered
• self-confident
• presuming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• lowly
• unassuming
• homely
• unpretentious
• meek
• unpretending
• timid
• shy
• demure
• bashful
• retiring
• diffident
• deferential
• compliant
• yielding
• quiet
• ingratiating
• passive
• unassertive
• submissive
• apologetic
• acquiescent
• resigned
• shrinking
• subdued
• unobtrusive
• reserved
• self-doubting
• cringing
• cowering

4

as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature

remained true to the cause's lofty ideals, regardless of the changing winds of popular opinion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• noble
• high
• great
• sublime
• gallant
• honorable
• magnanimous
• big
• chivalrous
• elevated
• high-minded
• natural
• lordly
• worthy
• exalted
• heroic
• venerable
• regal
• valiant
• greathearted
• magnificent
• majestic
• inspiring
• princely
• knightly
• uplifting
• ennobled
• numinous
• moving
• august
• glorified

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• ignoble
• base
• sordid
• degenerate
• debased
• degraded
• vile
• wretched
• squalid
• ugly
• contemptible
• abominable
• vicious
• offensive
• hateful
• little
• repulsive
• narrow
• detestable
• despicable
• dirty
• lousy
• dastardly
• sorry
• mean
• ignominious
• crude
• coarse
• vulgar
• humiliating
• discreditable
• degrading
• small-minded

5

as in eloquent

very dignified in form, tone, or style

the lofty nature of the coronation ceremony

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eloquent
• majestic
• formal
• stately
• rhetorical
• elevated
• literary
• towering
• graceful
• cultured
• grammatical
• aristocratic
• high-flown
• grandiose
• grandiloquent
• proper
• pretentious
• fine
• bombastic
• pompous
• refined
• oratorical
• educated
• declamatory
• flowery
• florid
• correct
• stilted
• highfalutin
• classy
• tasteful
• affected
• courtly
• patrician
• academic
• Attic
• genteel
• bookish
• learned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• undignified
• informal
• casual
• conversational
• common
• colloquial
• slangy
• vulgar
• unliterary
• gross
• crude
• vernacular
• coarse
• ineloquent
• rough
• indecent
• uncouth
• nonformal
• rude
• unrefined
• unpolished
• uncultivated
• tasteless
• uncultured
• lowbrow
• crass
• uneducated
• substandard
• incorrect
• ungrammatical
• rough-hewn
• unbookish
• unlearned
• ill-bred
• lowbred

Synonym Chooser

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lofty

Many of Straus’ contemporary philanthropists were setting lofty goals for their giving. — Leslie Lenkowsky, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026

But Donovan shows us the calculation, verging on disingenuousness, beneath Meyers’s lofty, earnest veneer. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

However, this series did more than measure up to the quality of The Next Generation (a lofty feat in and of itself). — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026

This would rake in untold billions of dollars for the company — and all but ensure that its lofty, moral duty would forever be subjugated the money-making whims of Wall Street. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026