TALL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'tall' contrast with its synonyms?

The words high and lofty are common synonyms of tall . While all three words mean "above the average in height," tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness. // a tall thin man

Q: When can 'high' be used instead of 'tall'?

Although the words high and tall have much in common, 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 would 'lofty' be a good substitute for 'tall'?

While in some cases nearly identical to tall , lofty suggests great or imposing altitude. // lofty mountain peaks

tall

adjective

ˈtȯl

Definition of tall

as in high

extending to a great distance upward tall skyscrapers that cast long shadows over the park

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort that's a pretty tall order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective tall contrast with its synonyms?

The words high and lofty are common synonyms of tall. While all three words mean "above the average in height," tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.

a tall thin man

When can high be used instead of tall?

Although the words high and tall have much in common, 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 would lofty be a good substitute for tall?

While in some cases nearly identical to tall, lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

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 tall Advertisement After spending time in tall grasses or woods, make sure everyone gets inspected. — Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 The produce seller’s stand, with its tall pyramids of shining fruits. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 Both would be tall, if not impossible, orders in the face of a Democratic Legislative supermajority and geopolitical volatility. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Her work continued below the arc, scoring against 6-6 star Jonquel Jones and the much taller 6-11 Han Xu. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall

Adjective

Thailand’s high rate of gun ownership is second only to Pakistan in Asia, and far surpasses its Southeast Asian neighbors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
The state is announcing an average increase of almost 30% for those already paying the highest rates.

— John Ramos, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

The shortcomings of Usman and Dvalishvili, future Hall of Famers, only point to how difficult the historic mark was to reach.

— Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
The Teamsters have been enthusiastically endorsing the bill specifically because, while 40-something employers would be difficult to collectively bargain against, DSP workers would be much easier to organize once within Amazon.

— Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

At its center is Babe Bunyan, a towering, enigmatic axman whose search for identity and belonging drives the story toward an explosive conclusion.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026
The arrangement creates the hydraulic head required for generation without a towering dam, distinguishing it among surviving early hydroelectric works.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of towering

Adjective

The champion faced a challenging opponent, as Garry forced him to work hard for seven takedowns and inflicted some facial damage.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus, is unfolding in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Coventry, for example, face Manchester City away in Gameweek Three, while some of the teams worth targeting early like Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland have tougher fixtures in Gameweeks Three or Four.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
This summer has seen a confluence of challenges, including excessive heat that allows food contamination to grow and a pathogen that’s particularly tough to pin down.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

For the last six years, Six has lived as a recluse in Amsterdam, lying in bed and going out twice a day for decaf coffee (the regular brew is too hard on his shattered nerves).

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
That could make a huge difference in remote communities where fuel is hard to find and dependable electricity cannot be taken for granted.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Miami entered the game riding a seven-match unbeaten streak in league play and leading MLS with 45 goals, but facing a formidable foe in Nashville.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
This one stars Cox himself as a mysterious and formidable old man in an undertaker’s suit and parson’s hat who wanders into an Arizona border town in 1890 to gather the names of dead Mexican laborers.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of formidable

Adjective

Thanks to the shrinking publishing industry and dwindling writerly job market, the internet is rife with smart freelance editors, rigorous copy editors, and award-winning authors moonlighting as book doulas.

— Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026
Every personal loan article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal loan products.

— Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigorous

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talky

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tallied

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“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tall

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