Definition of tallnext

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 Picking an outright winner on the PGA TOUR is a tall task. Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026 Past the frolicking waters of the outdoor fountain that anchors Lincoln Center, beyond the twin Chagall murals hanging 30-feet tall in the Metropolitan Opera House lobby, and behind the stage of one of the nation’s most glittering cultural centers sits a warren of rooms in a concrete labyrinth. Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026 Red clover stands taller, is less amenable to mowing, and can be short-lived. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 13 May 2026 Three tall windows on each side let in ample light from the north and south. Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall
Adjective
  • But the barrier to entry is higher than usual, given that the movie is a continuation of a TV show that has been on for three seasons.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 May 2026
  • For those wishing to hone their game, The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee, created in partnership with TaylorMade, offers innovative technology and personal instruction at the highest level.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • When Thomson went through a difficult divorce, in 2014, Djena would often check in on her, showing up at her door with food.
    Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Crow-Armstrong had just failed to make a highly difficult, leaping catch at the wall.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Most notable is the twisting, aged steel staircase in the foyer, that draws the eye up to the full height of the towering, double-floor space.
    Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
  • Its unexpected 2020 comeback album, Inlet, arrived during the early pandemic period and transformed from surprise release into something closer to canon — a towering, late-career statement many fans now consider the band’s best work.
    Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Figuring out how to animate them was challenging.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 May 2026
  • With more than 7,300 yards of play, this challenging course also allows shorter three- or six-hole loops, perfect for golf vacations with kids who may not be up for an entire 18-hole round.
    Megan duBois, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Each of those teams will be competing for playoff spots again, leaving the Raiders with no easy divisional wins and a tough out-of-division schedule.
    Sam Warren, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • The group did just enough against Sale and a tough Braves bullpen to avoid getting shut out for the third time in five games.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The most common reasons cited for detransition were pressure from a parent, harassment or discrimination, and that transitioning was too hard.
    Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 16 May 2026
  • Incredibly forgettable and hard to get through.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • Rossellini plays the formidable Madame de Noailles, an old-school aristocrat devoted to Marie Antoinette and haunted by a lost love.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • Vegas will remain formidable because of its eternal win-now mandate.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • Students reportedly balanced rigorous courses and activities Many of the students took difficult classes such as AP Physics, AP Economics and multivariable calculus while also participating in clubs, sports and community organizations.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • The report goes on to say separate academies for immigrant and refugee students can deny them access to rigorous coursework and diverse elective options, and can hinder their academic process and social integration.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster