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 average mature gingko stands around 50 to 70 feet tall and often resembles the shape of an umbrella. Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025 Avoid tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2025 There’s also a deeply romantic feeling to its interiors, exemplified by the lobby’s antique furnishings and tall windows that draw in light. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 Sep. 2025 Visitors can explore authentic replicas of traditional houses, including Bidayuh, Iban, and Orang Ulu longhouses, a Chinese farmhouse, a Melanau tall house, and a Malay house. Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall
Adjective
  • However, the AmCham Shanghai survey found 14% of the respondents reported the environment for foreign businesses in China was worsening, with the tech sector seeing the highest challenges at 31% of industry respondents.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Bulls look to be the best team in the Group of Five conferences, while the Gators and coach Billy Napier are now under pressure with a difficult SEC schedule ahead.
    Erick Smith, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Usually the final day of boot camp is most difficult.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • At a time when most goalies were under 6 feet, Dryden was a towering 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, but still had nimble feet to dance around the net and kick pucks into the corners.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Here, Ne Zha 2 succeeds wildly; locales such as a heavenly city made entirely of jade and a towering, bamboo-verdant waterfall are rendered with genuinely beautiful texture and detail.
    Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To be sure, the last few years have been more challenging, with Gucci rapidly losing momentum — and Kering’s debt load swelling after an acquisition spree that included Creed, Maui Jim, a 30 percent stake in Valentino, and large chunks of prime real estate.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Ultimately, gig engineering is becoming an attractive but challenging path.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s a tough dichotomy to bridge, but the new 2025 911 Carrera GTS achieves it brilliantly.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The tough stainless steel loops are reinforced and designed to remain rust-free even after years of use, and a three number combination lock will be easy to remember and difficult to crack.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most important goals is creating a society where everyone can have the ability to succeed through education, hard work, and entrepreneurship.
    Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Developed by AeroVironment, the 20kW LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS) identifies, tracks, and engages a wide variety of targets with hard-kill high energy laser.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, this Jaguars pass rush is formidable; Josh Hines-Allen is no joke.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • With the Chiefs appearing more vulnerable in a season coming off a Super Bowl trouncing, Buffalo—which opens its 2025 campaign Sunday night at home against another formidable foe, the Baltimore Ravens—is poised for a breakthrough.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2025 World Beer Awards, known for their rigorous blind tastings, crowned Germany's Wolf Gang, a surprising black IPA from zum WØL BrauArt, as the top IPA.
    Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The study reports that all test results, including algorithm design, simulations, and flight data, underwent rigorous validation.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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