high 1 of 3

1
as in tall
extending to a great distance upward as the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest is mountaineering's holy grail

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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high

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noun

high

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective high contrast with its synonyms?

The words lofty and tall are common synonyms of high. While all three words mean "above the average in height," 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

In what contexts can lofty take the place of high?

Although the words lofty and high have much in common, lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

When might tall be a better fit than high?

The words tall and high can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 high
Adjective
So, higher cocoa prices hit the bottom line directly. Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 Israel has paid a high price to protect its citizens in its short 77-year history. Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
Early voting has hit record highs, with more than 7 million Canadians casting ballots. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 Across both chambers, 58 women — a record high — are serving. Barbara Boxer, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Located high up on the 18th floor of the Graduate New York hotel, the Panorama Room offers some of the city’s most jaw-dropping skyline views. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025 Animal tranquilizers enhance the user’s euphoric high from opioids, particularly in those who have developed a tolerance to the opioid. C. Michael White, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for high
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high
Adjective
  • Moist air forced up the tall terrain will eventually condense due to changes in temperature and rain itself out.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Juiced Orange Reaching about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, the fragrant tubular flowers bloom all summer to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Due to increased demands and depletion during intense exercise, athletes may need 10-20% more magnesium than less active individuals.
    Erika Prouty, Health, 21 Apr. 2025
  • His place in the side is arguably at its most fragile since Emery arrived in October 2022, weakened by minor injuries stifling rhythm and confidence, plus increased competition: first from Jhon Duran and latterly Marcus Rashford.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Before banging Kevin Gausman’s elevated fastball off the right field wall for a fifth-inning double, Dezenzo had taken five plate appearances across the past nine days.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • These were much larger and more architecturally complex, and they were positioned in elevated, visible locations that were set away from settlements and pastures.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Occasionally a table will be brought out to suggest another bar, another time, for Elmer to get drunk in and pick a fight, or a safe will be wheeled on stage for the clueless Elmer to try to blow up.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Far from humans, however, chimpanzees are unlikely to get drunk, since that would threaten their chances of surviving in the wild.
    Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Critics dismissed it as expensive and unnecessary, arguing that students could read a guide or browse online forums for free.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Mandatory spending—like those entitlement programs—is much more expensive than discretionary spending.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Cancer, a disease that doesn’t discriminate and spares no one from its reach, has long been one of humanity’s greatest adversaries.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • This is a great UFC Fight Night that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite these challenges, strong demand for the $599 iPhone 16e in India helped Apple take the top spot for global smartphone sales in the quarter, according to Counterpoint Research.
    Akash Sriram, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Pittsburgh would not miss his services for long, as top prospect Bubba Chandler is already knocking on the door of the major leagues.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Hal and Whitney would sit around the living room on the ripped couch and talk about sailing the world.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Luckily, Frank Grillo plays a ripped scientist who is close to a cure, but also has to worry about keeping his family safe during yet another supermoon.
    William Earl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

Cite this Entry

“High.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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