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 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
Adjective
  • Establishing that sense of familiarity requires time spent playing and training together, something made more difficult by a constant carousel of new signings.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Nugraha said difficult terrain has complicated efforts, with some hotspots located on steep volcanic slopes that are difficult to reach by land.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Enforcing the new ordinance is not as challenging as critics charge, Boone said.
    Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • In Tony, Bourdain not only flees to Provincetown to follow Nancy, but also to escape his challenging relationship with his parents, Gladys and Pierre Bourdain.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Certainly Larimore is pointing out that hard times lead to hard truths and hard decisions.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Perseus Rising in the northeast after dark, Perseus is not the easiest constellation to make sense of, but its rich star fields are hard to miss.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Webber seemed the perfect fit for Golden State and Nelson, and a bigger, more athletic Warriors team seemed to have a more formidable Big Three in Webber, Owens and second-year guard Latrell Sprewell, with Mullin still on hand as well.
    Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Leykin, 19, is a formidable challenger, placing in the top five on four apparatuses.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Audit Before You Affirm (or Reject) Before issuing a public statement, conduct a rigorous internal review across all seven areas.
    David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, there is no federal law against providing medical care for transgender adolescents according to the rigorous standards of care.
    Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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