1
as in tall
extending to a great distance upward the ever-increasing lofty heights of the world's skyscrapers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude she acts all lofty and superior just because she went to an Ivy League college

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lofty contrast with its synonyms?

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

lofty mountain peaks

When might high be a better fit than lofty?

The meanings of high and lofty largely overlap; however, 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

When can tall be used instead of lofty?

Although the words tall and lofty have much in common, 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 lofty With this repurposed, recycled down and feathers from post-use bedding and outerwear, the EverPuff provides the same lofty warmth as virgin down—at 700 fill power—while giving existing materials a second life and reducing environmental impact. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 16 Oct. 2025 Beyond lofty Big Ten rankings, his rushing total, carries and touchdowns are each within the top 20 in the nation this season. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025 Set along a tree-line street in North Cobble Hill, the seven-level home features seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms across its lofty 25-foot-wide design. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025 But while the two share this creation-for-creation’s-sake approach, their respective careers are also defined by lofty ambitions that bridge the worlds of music, visual art and science and beyond. Katie Bain, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lofty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lofty
Adjective
  • Fans of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie were treated to an animatronics line in June, featuring an over 5-foot tall Victor, Emily, along with a 2-foot tall Sparky.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Keep a distance from tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Some might see you as arrogant.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Jackson returns as Wes Bryant, a handsome, intelligent, but arrogant man who had just moved to Seattle and was revealed to be a new medical intern at Grey Sloan.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Both of our co-founders, along with much of our leadership team, are proud Kentucky natives.
    Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
  • In photos from the show, the proud mom and aunt could be seen walking down the runway hand-in-hand with her two sons, while Zaya led the way in front of them.
    Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Dohnányis came from a Hungarian noble family that traced its roots back centuries.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Boots works hard to insist that while there might be a few bad apples along the way, there’s noble work to be done in the armed forces.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Creature survives, becomes smarter and even eloquent, and vengefully chases Frankenstein all the way to the Arctic.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Kidman was eloquent and warm, leavening her more introspective thoughts with a twinkly laugh.
    Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However, energy analysts point to the high costs of setting up in a new remote environment in harsh weather without local infrastructure, labor, or equipment.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • However, Cox said via email last week that the cost of new construction and the site topography where the old police headquarters stood drove the cost up so high that the location was not the best choice.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the small Campo dei Tolentini, presided over by the haughty neoclassical columns of the eponymous church, a queue straggles from a tiny bar.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Lellouche stars as unlikely hero Zem, a disillusioned Zone 3 cop with an idealistic militant past, who is teamed with haughty, high-flying Zone 2 officer Salia, played by Adèle Exarchopoulos, after a leading politician is assassinated in Zone 1.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The 20-year-old was one of many players in the Argentinian squad with solid top-flight experience for their clubs, racking up 13 starts in midfield for Boca Juniors, after being given his opportunity by the great Fernando Gago back in May 2024.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • For me, it’s been really essential to read a lot of great information, and to come at the world filled with knowledge and all these ideas of, in my view, much smarter and braver people than myself.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lofty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lofty. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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