Definition of elevationnext

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 As the pair approaches the elevation point for their 11,000-foot plunge, Domingo appears to get a case of the first-time jitters. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 9 June 2026 Engineering for extreme heights Operating at elevations above 656 feet introduces a unique engineering challenges. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 June 2026 To prepare for the altitude in Mexico City, Broos, a former Belgian player who competed in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, brought his team in early and, starting May 30, held training camp in Pachuca, a city at higher in elevation than the capital. Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 While its downtown area is chock-full of shops, restaurants, and cafes, be sure to find some elevation by hiking or climbing Mount Battie at Camden Hills State Park. Erinne Magee, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for elevation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elevation
Noun
  • Slimani is French president Emmanuel Macron’s personal representative for the promotion of the French language and culture, and was the chair of the jury for the 2023 International Booker Prize.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • Should have gotten the promotion to be the head of the assignment desk.
    Peter Larsen, Daily News, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Unmoored from the family unit, and inflated by success and ambition, she is left to roam the rainy hills like a beast that has exiled itself from conventional society.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
  • One day, the Santa Ana winds stoke a raging fire on the Getty Center hill, threatening the mansions south of Sunset.
    Zinzi Clemmons, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Swells on Tuesday led to beach hazard warnings across Southern California, along with high wave heights and rip currents, the National Weather Service warned.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 11 June 2026
  • Barry had been appointed in April 2020, at the height of pandemic uncertainty, when stay-at-home orders made foot traffic to brick-and-mortar retailers like Best Buy nearly impossible.
    Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The expedition departed from the hotel to begin the ascent, explained Martin, our concierge.
    Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
  • Eight students were trapped for a few hours after the Iron Shark roller coaster at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier stopped abruptly while making its 100-foot ascent on May 28, according to reporting from Houston ABC affiliate KTRK.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski shouted two words — the first of which didn’t appear to be fit for print — and strode off the mound, the icy expression on his face frozen in place all the way to the dugout.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • The inning got out of hand with left-hander Brent Suter on the mound.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Once the ball starts rolling, the stadium’s altitude — 7,216 feet above sea level — will be one of the biggest assets for the Mexican lineup led by coach Javier Aguirre.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • The team now plans stratospheric flights later this year, targeting altitudes above 40,000 feet—higher than typical passenger airliner cruise levels.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • But that was before the digital era; before AI really became an advancement.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 7 June 2026
  • Startups in China have the advantage of massive state support, in line with the ruling Communist Party’s 2026-2030 five-year plan targeting the frontiers of technology, including advancements of humanoid robots.
    Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • Aspen Highlands’ famed 270-acre hike to Highland Bowl delivers some of the best inbound big-mountain skiing in the lower 48.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • Each year, only about 1,000 to 1,200 climbers attempt to summit the mountain, typically during the peak May and June season.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Elevation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elevation. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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