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

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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

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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 That article was on the occasion of the artist’s 10-foot-tall sculpture of Pablo Picasso pushing a lawn mower in a Brooklyn park, self-financed to the tune of about $120,000. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026 The walls will get taller and the applications will get smarter. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Her aesthetic is all classic Americana, cowboy hats and tall boots. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 29 July 2026 Prepare a container that’s tall enough to dip your blade into, and fill it with hot water. — Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall

Adjective

The Big Bend Sector has not experienced the high number of border crossings seen in recent years in other areas farther south along the Rio Grande or in Arizona or California, owing to the remote and challenging terrain on both sides of the border.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
The global luxury resale and collateral market has expanded rapidly as younger high-net-worth individuals and fashion collectors treat assets like investments.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

For a long time, we’ve all been told that remastering the older Super Robot Wars games was extremely difficult, due to all the licensing and other costs involved.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
After three difficult years, armed groups loyal to Tehran appear to be bouncing back across the Middle East, reinforcing Iran’s leverage in its war with the US and Israel.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Pierre Bourdieu, the towering French sociologist who coined the term cultural capital, was interested in how markers of elite status entrench power imbalances.

— Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
The park is home to the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast, a towering 115-foot-tall white brick structure built in 1871 that millions of visitors have explored for generations.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Definition of towering

Adjective

Even during a challenging season, Stanek continued to showcase one of baseball's hardest fastballs with a plus slider, splitter and sweeper.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
There’s also 20-year-old Connor Zilisch, who’s had a challenging rookie season but is still one of the most prized young drivers to ever join the Cup Series.

— Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

The city's local Democratic lawmakers claim that the tough-on-crime policies only temporarily reduced crime while troop presence was at its peak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Lopez and multiple bullpen arms got out of tough jams to limit the Red Sox 16 baserunners across the first nine innings to just two runs, only one earned.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Not play-act, but do the real work, make the hard and noble choices, not forsake his vows but live by them.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Adding another employee, buying a new piece of equipment, or expanding into a larger space all become harder when the tax code penalizes those investments.

— Kent Strang, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Academy leaders have repeatedly told Congress that rigorous scholarship, civilian faculty expertise and exposure to complex questions help prepare officers for the uncertainty of modern warfare.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
The progress marks the transition from years of design, research, and technology demonstrations to the construction of physical aircraft that will undergo rigorous testing before entering operational service.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tall

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