Synonyms of lofty

lofty

adjective

ˈlȯf-tē 

1

as in tall

extending to a great distance upward

the ever-increasing lofty heights of the world's skyscrapers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tall
• high
• towering
• altitudinous
• eminent
• prominent
• dominant
• elevated
• dominating
• lifted
• uplifted
• statuesque
• raised
• high-rise
• upswept

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• short
• squat
• flat
• low-lying
• stubby
• stumpy

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogant
• superior
• supercilious
• bumptious
• high-and-mighty
• haughty
• cavalier
• assumptive
• pretentious
• important
• uppish
• uppity
• pompous
• sniffy
• chesty
• presumptuous
• dominant
• high-handed
• imperious
• highfalutin
• high-hat
• huffy
• toplofty
• domineering
• masterful
• lordly
• smug
• huffish
• peremptory
• pontifical
• presuming
• proud
• overweening
• dominating
• self-assertive
• authoritarian
• magisterial
• impudent
• patronizing
• condescending
• boastful
• vainglorious
• bombastic
• self-asserting
• snobbish
• saucy
• snobby
• snooty
• egocentric
• bossy
• stiff-necked
• hubristic
• disdainful
• blusterous
• cocky
• narcissistic
• vain
• conceited
• blustery
• pontificating
• swaggering
• egotistic
• egoistic
• impertinent
• braggy
• immodest
• complacent
• uninhibited
• self-complacent
• bragging
• prideful
• self-satisfied
• braggart
• self-centered
• self-conceited
• self-flattering
• extroverted
• stuck-up
• unreserved
• brash
• self-affected
• self-applauding
• self-promoting
• self-pleased
• orgulous
• self-loving
• forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• lowly
• unpretentious
• timid
• subdued
• shy
• bashful
• diffident
• sheepish
• shrinking
• passive
• demure
• unassuming
• introverted
• mousy
• meek
• deferential
• unobtrusive
• compliant
• unarrogant
• yielding
• quiet
• unassertive
• submissive
• unaggressive
• acquiescent
• overmodest
• self-critical
• reserved
• cringing
• self-doubting
• retiring
• cowering

3

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself

his lofty attitude toward menial chores really rankles the other camp counselors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proud
• arrogant
• haughty
• superior
• disdainful
• cavalier
• smug
• highfalutin
• prideful
• selfish
• lordly
• vainglorious
• domineering
• important
• high-sounding
• supercilious
• pretentious
• conceited
• vain
• egotistic
• snobbish
• egoistic
• confident
• uppity
• dominating
• pompous
• complacent
• bombastic
• boastful
• self-important
• condescending
• swaggering
• overbearing
• impudent
• cocky
• patronizing
• presumptuous
• self-satisfied
• self-contented
• self-conceited
• peremptory
• brassy
• audacious
• cheeky
• saucy
• egocentric
• overconfident
• sniffy
• overweening
• stuck-up
• self-assertive
• bloated
• imperious
• magisterial
• brash
• impertinent
• bold
• cocksure
• self-glorifying
• masterful
• bossy
• forward
• self-assured
• high-handed
• sure
• self-centered
• self-confident
• presuming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• humble
• lowly
• unassuming
• homely
• unpretentious
• meek
• unpretending
• timid
• shy
• demure
• bashful
• retiring
• diffident
• deferential
• compliant
• yielding
• quiet
• ingratiating
• passive
• unassertive
• submissive
• apologetic
• acquiescent
• resigned
• shrinking
• subdued
• unobtrusive
• reserved
• self-doubting
• cringing
• cowering

4

as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature

remained true to the cause's lofty ideals, regardless of the changing winds of popular opinion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• noble
• high
• great
• sublime
• gallant
• honorable
• magnanimous
• big
• chivalrous
• elevated
• high-minded
• natural
• lordly
• worthy
• exalted
• heroic
• venerable
• regal
• valiant
• greathearted
• magnificent
• majestic
• inspiring
• princely
• knightly
• uplifting
• ennobled
• numinous
• moving
• august
• glorified

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• ignoble
• base
• sordid
• degenerate
• debased
• degraded
• vile
• wretched
• squalid
• ugly
• contemptible
• abominable
• vicious
• offensive
• hateful
• little
• repulsive
• narrow
• detestable
• despicable
• dirty
• lousy
• dastardly
• sorry
• mean
• ignominious
• crude
• coarse
• vulgar
• humiliating
• discreditable
• degrading
• small-minded

5

as in eloquent

very dignified in form, tone, or style

the lofty nature of the coronation ceremony

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eloquent
• majestic
• formal
• stately
• rhetorical
• elevated
• literary
• towering
• graceful
• cultured
• grammatical
• aristocratic
• high-flown
• grandiose
• grandiloquent
• proper
• pretentious
• fine
• bombastic
• pompous
• refined
• oratorical
• educated
• declamatory
• flowery
• florid
• correct
• stilted
• highfalutin
• classy
• tasteful
• affected
• courtly
• patrician
• academic
• Attic
• genteel
• bookish
• learned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• undignified
• informal
• casual
• conversational
• common
• colloquial
• slangy
• vulgar
• unliterary
• gross
• crude
• vernacular
• coarse
• ineloquent
• rough
• indecent
• uncouth
• nonformal
• rude
• unrefined
• unpolished
• uncultivated
• tasteless
• uncultured
• lowbrow
• crass
• uneducated
• substandard
• incorrect
• ungrammatical
• rough-hewn
• unbookish
• unlearned
• ill-bred
• lowbred

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

Recent Examples of lofty

Our partial Bosphorus view room is flooded with light thanks to lofty ceilings and large windows framing water, woodland and the city skyline. — Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026

Beyond that top-shelf quartet of AFC quarterbacks, there are rumblings of a new generation’s push to reach that lofty level. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Whether those supports prove durable may ultimately depend on whether companies continue to exceed already lofty expectations. — Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Adjustable buckle closures gave way to shiny satin red uppers and lofty platform soles, while 3- to 4-inch-thick heels rounded out the vibrant set. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026