Synonyms of altitude

altitude

noun

ˈal-tə-ˌtüd 

1

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

• elevation
• height
• inches
• stature
• tallness
• rise
• highness
• loftiness

2

as in hill

usually altitudes plural an area of high ground

the air is thinner at higher altitudes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elevation
• hill
• height
• mountain
• cliff
• ridge
• prominence
• highland
• upland
• eminence
• rise
• peak
• mound
• hump
• table
• plateau
• steep
• mount
• dome
• tableland
• mesa
• crag
• knoll
• foothill
• bluff
• butte
• alp
• tor
• precipice
• downs
• sierra
• knob
• hillock
• hummock
• sugarloaf

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lowland
• valley
• depression
• vale
• basin
• dell
• hollow
• dale
• glen
• bottom
• plain
• floodplain
• flat
• tidewater
• bottomland
• fen
• dingle

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

Recent Examples of altitude

Their appearance and length of time in the sky depends on the temperature, humidity, wind speed and altitude, according to the National Weather Service. —Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025

The mysterious giant woolly rat But with that migration to higher altitudes, the subalpine woolly rat would have needed adaptations that include better resilience to cold, like a thick furry coat and a larger body plan – often seen in bigger animals. —Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 25 May 2025

These scenes, Fielder explains, will be performed not on a soundstage replica but at actual cruising altitude. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025

Bombardier claims the 8000 will have the lowest cabin pressurization of any business jet, 2,900 feet at a 41,000-foot cruising altitude. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 20 May 2025