ALTITUDE Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'altitude' contrast with its synonyms?

The words elevation and height are common synonyms of altitude . While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land. // fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters // Denver is a city with a high elevation

Q: When is 'height' a more appropriate choice than 'altitude'?

In some situations, the words height and altitude are roughly equivalent. However, height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low. // a wall two meters in height

altitude

noun

ˈal-tə-ˌtüd

Definition of altitude next

as in elevation

the distance of something or someone from bottom to top the altitude of the highest mountain in the U.S. is only about two thirds that of the highest mountain in the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in hill

usually altitudes plural an area of high ground the air is thinner at higher altitudes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun altitude contrast with its synonyms?

The words elevation and height are common synonyms of altitude. While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land.

fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters

Denver is a city with a high elevation

When is height a more appropriate choice than altitude?

In some situations, the words height and altitude are roughly equivalent. However, height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

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 altitude Red auroras occur when solar particles collide with oxygen at higher altitudes, generally around 180 to 250 miles (300 to 400 km). —

Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 23 Feb. 2026 The technology behind Aalyria's Spacetime software was developed within Google and used as part of the company's Project Loon, an initiative to use high-altitude balloons to beam internet service to underserved communities. —

Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026 The high-altitude distillery is a Certified B Corp and is female-founded and run. —

Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026 And, over the last few weeks, several meters of fresh snow have fallen across Europe, part of a weather pattern driven by an unusual southerly jet stream that has dumped huge amounts of precipitation across the continent, causing flooding in lower altitude areas. —

Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for altitude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for altitude

Noun

Cottages sit at varying elevations, the beach requires a real descent from the hilltop, and the island's best features, remote coves, clifftop pools, and the Sugarloaf summit, all involve uneven ground and serious elevation changes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Lower elevations of Bogus Basin will receive between 5 and 8 inches of snowfall on Tuesday, according to the forecast.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026