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 Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025 For the first three tests of the year, Starship, which stands about 400 feet tall, struggled to replicate the successes of its test flights in 2024. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025 These states are forecast to face breaking waves between 5 and 7 feet tall, and a high risk of rip currents. Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 And when the Steelers throw the ball, Washington routinely is too tall for smaller DBs in jump-ball situations. Mike Defabo, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall
Adjective
  • Both countries claimed higher death tolls than their neighbor acknowledged.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
  • And in a shocking twist, it was revealed that on one of the highest voting nights, no celebrity will be going home this week.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Travel could be very difficult to impossible.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • This Is My Story While Israel and Hamas have accepted the two-phase agreement, many of the more difficult issues have been left unresolved.
    Richard Hall, Time, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As professor Paolo Quattrone has described, the Dean sits at one end beneath a towering Gothic window.
    Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • This towering, golden pie balances sweet and savory with sharp cheddar in the pastry and topping.
    Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The mother of five admitted that being away from her family for long periods of time was challenging, but the sacrifice was necessary for Jordan’s athletic development.
    Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The second, more challenging phase — aimed at dismantling Hamas and deciding Gaza’s future leadership — has yet to be negotiated.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s the beauty of the league — every play matters and every play is hard to execute.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025
  • And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
  • With the Eagles’ offensive line not as formidable as last season, Barkley was back to his feast or famine style.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Here’s how all four teams look heading into their Championship Series, along with some rigorous, confident analysis for each team.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Whereas degree programs have to go through rigorous faculty and administrative oversight, which can take years, non-degree programs don’t require the same kind of oversight.
    Chris Quintana, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!