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

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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 In just a few years, the shrubs can grow to be as tall as a person, covering the entirety of an area, Young said. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 The Braves have a tall task in the National League Division Series, facing the Dodgers, who are looking for their third consecutive World Series title. — AJC.com, 3 Oct. 2026 In Proserpina, eleven vertical yellow wooden rods, enrobed in layers of gray and maroon wire netting, increase in length around a wire-mesh spiral that reaches three feet at its tallest point. — Nicole Rudick, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026 Tousle-haired, rosy-cheeked and 10 inches tall, Topo Gigio was remarkably lifelike — equipped with a moving mouth and blinking eyes. — Kaja Andric, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall

Adjective

Korean star Han Ji-min accepted The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at a glitzy gala high above Busan on Wednesday night, promising that her creative journey was only just beginning.

— Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
That is a level higher than on other subjects such as fertility, at 54 percent, and menopause, at 48 percent.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

Performances across the board are strong, even if the characterizations themselves are more difficult to embrace.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Making short-haul rail more competitive Parallel argues that its system could open routes that are currently difficult for conventional rail services to serve economically, particularly journeys under 500 miles.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Thiero’s towering, one-handed dunk over two Golden State defenders provided a highlight in the Lakers’ otherwise forgettable 124-98 preseason loss to the Warriors at Chase Center on Tuesday.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Satellites now show that region unusually dry and cloud-free, while towering storms have moved to the central and eastern Pacific, over the warmest water.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of towering

Adjective

Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Oscar-winning DoP Greig Fraser knows a thing or two about working on challenging movies, from Dune to The Batman, Rogue One to Zero Dark Thirty.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Now, Germino says her social media presence is all about giving other patients going through the same tough decision an example of someone who’s thriving after the procedure.

— Kara McGrath, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.

— Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Community supporter and legal advocate Over decades in South Florida, Klock earned a reputation as a formidable advocate, a mentor to younger lawyers and a steadfast supporter of the community.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
The original recipe was two parts apple brandy to one part each of the liqueurs, giving this cocktail a quotient of sweetness that even its formidable alcohol content can’t quite tame.

— Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of formidable

Adjective

The list takes months to compile, with multiple steps and checks designed to ensure the ranking is rigorous and consistent.

— Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
With rigorous reporting and more than 150 interviews with those working for the US’ most influential AI companies, technology journalist Roose covers Silicon Valley’s breakneck race to build artificial general intelligence.

— Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rigorous

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talky

tall

tallied

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“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tall

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