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
Then there was the Georgia Tech game, Bowers and McConkey were both out, Beck only attempted 20 passes and Georgia rode the running game, with Kendall Milton running for a career-high 156 yards and two touchdowns. Seth Emerson, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 The Phillies eventually got runners on the corners with two outs, with the speedy Trea Turner—who had the highest batting average in the National League, at the plate. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Credit card debt in the United States is at a record high. Malaka Gharib, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025 Last year, the number of tourists visiting the mountain reached a record high of more than 540,00, according to Chinese state media. Chantelle Lee, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The question now is whether OpenAI can balance its high-performing models with mass market appeal. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025 Brown had just caught his first touchdown pass as a Bronco, climbing high above his defender to bring in the ball before clattering down to the filed. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for high
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high
Adjective
  • Police described Taylor as a Black male who is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Front man Coleman cuts a tall, brooding figure, saving his emotions for his vocal delivery and occasional pronouncements on the importance of faith.
    Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The film opens with a celebratory raid on an ICE facility to free detainees, and shows government agents coldly executing unarmed suspects and sending an undercover agent into a peaceful protest to throw a Molotov cocktail to justify increased force.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Febrile seizures, while frightening, haven’t been associated with any long-term health effects, the CDC says, and there’s no increased risk for the combination MMRV vaccine in children ages 4 to 6.
    Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Educator turnover in Wisconsin public schools has decreased from pandemic highs but remains elevated.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Tsukahara was in the back of a Cybertruck when the driver who was drunk and had taken drugs smashed into a tree in a suburb of San Francisco, according to the suit.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • However, Joe proceeded to get blackout drunk at the pool party with the other couples, went back to nap in their room, and told Madison not to come with him.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For a ski station closer to Tokyo and less expensive than Niseko, try Nekoma Mountain in Fukushima province.
    Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In typical hypercar fashion, the car just sat there in the parking lot looking pretty and expensive during the parade and didn't move.
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • See how commonwealth compares to other states The classic Halloween symbol is also great at dividing the masses.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • At just $30, Universal Thread’s version is a great way to add the style to your rotation at a fraction of the price.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The duo, neither of which was born when Napier first began coaching in 2003, took advantage of Texas’ top cornerback, Malik Muhammed, missing the game.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The Baltimore Ravens entered the 2025 NFL season expected to be one of the league's top Super Bowl contenders.
    Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the footage, also obtained by PEOPLE, Tarek can be seen wearing a ripped shirt as he's questioned by an officer in a small room with his elderly dad.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
  • When at ports, the crew does everything from deck tours and day sails to maintenance, such as fixing a stove, sewing a ripped sail or doing laundry.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

“High.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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