Synonym Chooser

How does the noun elevation contrast with its synonyms?

The words altitude and height are common synonyms of elevation. 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 can height be used instead of elevation?

The words height and elevation can be used in similar contexts, but 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 elevation In the meantime, things are great below the alpine elevations. John Meyer, Denver Post, 12 June 2025 The elevation of an American cardinal to pontiff after some 2,000 years of the Holy See is an unprecedented event in Illinois and world history. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025 The water surface was 14.98 feet below the conservation pool elevation. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 The agency also noted that mountaineers must also deal with altitude sickness due to the high elevation levels of the mountain. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for elevation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elevation
Noun
  • Central bank data showed a surge in summer retail and services activity as businesses offer better entertainment options and shopping promotions as alternatives to vacations abroad.
    Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 30 June 2025
  • The new report also found that news, promotion, informational and interactive programming writers also saw a nearly 26% decline in work.
    Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025
  • Set high above Hollywood, the rooftop setting features iconic, 360-views of the Hollywood sign, Capital Records building and surrounding hills.
    Chelsea Frank, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Turmoil continues to roil the Middle East in a 12-day conflict that reached new heights June 21 after President Donald Trump authorized a series of U.S. missile strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • With production reaching new heights, quality control will become harder to manage and more important.
    Bill Rokos, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Progressive Challenger Emerges as New Target Back home, the rapid ascent of Zohran Mamdani—a Democratic Socialist who upset Andrew Cuomo in New York City's mayoral primary—has given Trump a fresh political foil.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • The historical drama produced by MGM Television follows the couple’s ascent.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Toronto now owns a 6-2 advantage over Boston in the season series, and the Red Sox will look to bounce back and snap their skid on Saturday when Lucas Giolito (3-1, 4.53) takes the mound against Chris Bassitt (7-3, 3.61).
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
  • Warren, a friend and former teammate of his in the Los Angeles Angels system, jogged out to the mound.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Bright ones at low altitudes generally reflect solar energy away, whereas wispier ones up to 20,000 feet tend to trap heat.
    Max G. Levy, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
  • Some scientists believe that rocket propellant may play a part in the formation of high altitude 'night shining' noctilucent clouds - a phenomenon that is more common at northerly altitudes, but has been spotted manifesting closer to the equator in recent decades.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The research could lead to advancements in formulating pharmaceuticals, among other applications.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 28 June 2025
  • Many who fear the advancement of technology also worry that with each advancement comes a loss of knowledge or skills: with calculators, learning math feels superfluous; with typing, good handwriting becomes a relic of the past; with transportation technology, bodies seem to atrophy.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • According to the zoo, the wild rodent had hitched a ride near Minturn, Colo. — a small town in the mountains outside of Aspen that is about 100 miles from Denver.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • The fire has scorched around 20 acres of land on the mountain, but no structures were lost, the department said.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elevation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elevation. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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