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

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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 The snakes have mostly been spotted on walkways, in tall grass and brush, and around building edges, according to the school. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The Upper East Side’s affluent parents just grow more affluent, their Hamptons lawns more manicured, their strollers taller and more Danish-looking, their immense consumption ever more BPA-free. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026 Here’s a rundown of which Planet of the Apes films stand the tallest. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 There are also less busy sites nearby including Hannya-ji Temple, a serene haven known for its sea of cosmos flowers and Japan’s tallest stone pagoda. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall

Adjective

Eastward to Morgan City, Louisiana, the surge could be as high as 3 feet, while southward along the Texas coast, the storm surge could be up to 2 feet as far south as San Luis Pass, the center stated.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Where companies such as Zero and Stark have pushed hard to gain high output numbers in order to win sales, Bonnell hopes to win them by building e-bikes that appeal to riders and enthusiasts at a more visceral level.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

Being undefeated after a trio of difficult opening matches can only be seen as a positive, even if Newcastle’s obvious shortcomings require addressing if that run is to be prolonged.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Engineers need flight data on propulsion, aerodynamics, thermal management, guidance and other subsystems under conditions that are difficult to reproduce on the ground.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

The towering, seemingly alien rock formations have become increasingly prominent as the water level has dropped.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
Told through Bearden’s own words and archives, the film reintroduces a towering yet underrecognized modernist, athlete, and activist whose influence still shapes contemporary culture.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of towering

Adjective

Eric Loucks, the director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown, pointed out that a person can have a challenging experience during meditation and still find their overall meditation practice to be beneficial.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
For something more hands-on, Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawsonville has a challenging kart circuit where karts can reach 50 mph or more.

— Chris Teague, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Space-grade electronics will cost more, and the ball’s shell—made from a material tough enough to roll over steel shards and withstand minus 184 °C temperatures—has never been evaluated in lunar extremes.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
Democratic leaders face tough decisions on where to spend limited party resources to win the Senate majority.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Soldier Field and Wrigley Field will have formidable new competition.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Importantly, such research demonstrated the formidable risk associated with self-criticism for postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as for disruptions in mother-child communication, which might exacerbate postpartum psychopathology.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of formidable

Adjective

Seager's team is providing the AFN, along with their ongoing, rigorous science preparation.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
The 2022 Nature Biotechnology review urged rigorous clinical testing, and later reviews continued to flag reliability and standardization issues.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tall

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