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as in elevation
the distance of something or someone from bottom to top the altitude of the highest mountain in the U.S. is only about two thirds that of the highest mountain in the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun altitude contrast with its synonyms?

The words elevation and height are common synonyms of altitude. While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land.

fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters
Denver is a city with a high elevation

When is height a more appropriate choice than altitude?

In some situations, the words height and altitude are roughly equivalent. However, height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

Examples 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 altitude More than 100 rescuers took part in Sunday’s operation, using shovels to dig into the snow across an area of around 5,500 square meters (18,000 square feet) at an altitude of around 2,400 meters (7,800 feet), according to a statement from Italy’s alpine rescue service. Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025 Additional warnings extend to the Gallatin, Madison, and Centennial Ranges, where snow totals could reach 22 inches in higher altitudes. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025 Hotel guests can also reserve the Altitude Restoration, an exclusive in-room treatment to help with the altitude and recuperation from the slopes. Linnea Covington, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 And the air temperature at that altitude — likely more than 30,000 feet — is much colder than the air on the ground. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for altitude 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altitude
Noun
  • Volcanic soils, especially at higher elevations, contribute to the aromatic intensity and complexity of the wines.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Its mountaintop setting, nearly a mile in elevation, is a large reason why guests are eager to book the property—and wind up never wanting to leave.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • As the sun began to set over Castaic Lake on Wednesday, the hills to the north and east were engulfed in flames, casting an eerie orange glow across the valley below.
    Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • That giant world is impressively dense and visually diverse, with hills dotting the horizon, rice paddy fields stretching into the distance, and huge castles looming over villages.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Scores of other active projects would be discussed in other meetings, on other days—including museum spaces in Bilbao, Madrid, and San Diego, and a proposal for a tower in Riyadh that, at a height of two kilometres, would be more than twice as tall as any building ever built.
    Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Quite frankly, Moicano is far from being at Makhachev’s lofty height.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near altitude

Cite this Entry

“Altitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altitude. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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