LOFTY Synonyms: 297 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

lofty

adjective

ˈlȯf-tē

Definition of lofty

as in tall

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in eloquent

very dignified in form, tone, or style the lofty nature of the coronation ceremony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 That description may sound lofty for what is, after all, a rock ‘n’ roll show. — Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026 The most notable updates to the national space transportation policy focus on increasing the country’s ability to enable those lofty forecasts. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 The nation’s toughest football conference has fallen on hard times, at least by its lofty standards. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Despite his lofty status, Kaltenbrunner has maintained a low public profile. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lofty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lofty

Adjective

In 1972, to mark Kim’s sixtieth birthday, the nation erected a gleaming sixty-six-foot-tall statue of him on a hill in the capital, Pyongyang.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Similar to traditional sofas, the standard (and most comfortable for the widest span of heights) height for daybeds is around 18 inches—most models on this list are between 16 and 19 inches tall from the floor to the top of the seat cushions.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of tall

Adjective

Everybody on our side understands that impeachment is a critical tool in the toolbox for constitutional self-defense against a president acting like a king, an imperious, lawless, arrogant king.

— NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Most obviously, front and center, and in endlessly intrusive close-up, there’s Pattinson — who also serves as producer — playing the arrogant, fame-addicted, megalomaniac Hansen.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Bob Howell, executive vice president and chief sales officer at Manhattan Associates, said Boscov’s has a proud history of knowing their customers and communities.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
The proud mom posed alongside her kids in one cute snap showing each of her children holding a chalkboard sign with details of their first day.

— Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

For an heir to the throne, however, marrying a woman without royal blood or a noble title was discouraged.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
But, of course, Cullen will always be remembered as Optimus Prime, the leader of the noble Autobots in numerous iterations of Transformers lore.

— Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Not as verbally eloquent as Roosevelt, Eisenhower communicated with a broad smile and a confident demeanor.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Dudamel and the orchestra accompanied the eloquent Lila Downs and much of the evening was then given over to the popular, Grammy-gleaning Los Tigres del Norte.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of eloquent

Adjective

The data set shows the Hong Kong chief executive is the second-highest earner globally with $719,000 annually, followed by the Swiss president at $606,000.

— Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Summer is finally nearing its end, though the high temperatures linger, making any thought of hot chocolate and curling up in blankets on the couch dangerous.

— Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

Hermetically sealed tableaux of haughty models daring you to look away from their perfection.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
All of those have sometimes been used to paint Rodgers in a certain way – usually as aloof or haughty in articles that typically were unflattering.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of haughty

Adjective

Countries with far smaller digital ecosystems, like Cambodia and Laos, have even greater struggles to attract and retain AI talent.

— Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
The tropical cyclone reached Category 5, defined by sustained winds of 157 mph or greater, overnight Friday before losing some of its steam and settling into Category 4’s limits of sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph by Saturday.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of great

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lofts

lofty

log

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“Lofty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lofty. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lofty

adjective

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