Synonym Chooser

How does the noun elevation contrast with its synonyms?

The words altitude and height are common synonyms of elevation. 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 can height be used instead of elevation?

The words height and elevation can be used in similar contexts, but 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 elevation In this instance, extreme water demand meant that the tanks at high elevations in the Palisades area outpaced supply. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 That drop first affected locations at the highest elevations, meaning the homes in the hills. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025 This is an easy and moderately short loop that winds through varied scenery without much substantial change in elevation. Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2025 Stand on a step exactly one mile above sea level While other state capitals may be at higher elevations than Denver (hello Cheyenne and Santa Fe), only the Colorado State Capitol can boast a marker that is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. Mindy Sink, The Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for elevation 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elevation
Noun
  • The brand becomes dependent on a cycle of constant promotions to maintain visibility but lacks a deeper connection with its audience.
    Karan Sharma, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The new promotion kicks off with a Smokey Bear and Willy Woodchuck Meet and Greet from noon to 2 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Plum Creek Nature Center.
    Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Wildfires are supposed to be in the hills — in the wild — not on the beach, and certainly not inside the borders of one of the biggest and best-prepared cities on the planet.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Air tankers are dropping thousands of gallons of red flame retardant in the hills around Los Angeles as firefighters attempt to limit the devastation from multiple wildfires.
    Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Quite frankly, Moicano is far from being at Makhachev’s lofty height.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • The book, which does not yet have a title, will chronicle Brandy’s ascent from singing at her hometown church in McComb, Mississippi, to R&B stardom, acting, and beyond.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Well, that tracks The very first on-board impression during technical rehearsal was during the slow ascent up the 90-degree lift hill that leads out of the loading station.
    Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Or soak up lessons on mentality and mound presence on flights and bus rides and so many quiet moments in the dugout?
    Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • More news: Pirates, Mets, Blue Jays Have Interest in Yankees' Free Agent: Report Since then, Verlander has struggled to stay on the mound — and be effective when healthy.
    Newsweek, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Ravenel’s research into the dynamics of ice and terrain at high altitudes is abetted by his climbing skills.
    Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Think about it this way: In the United States last year, only SpaceX, ULA, Rocket Lab, and Firefly launched something to a higher altitude.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While fake kidnapping calls aimed at exploiting worried parents are a familiar tactic for some criminals, advancements in technology are making these scams far more convincing and harder to detect.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Over the course of the 20th century, the average American lifespan went from roughly 50 to 80 years because of advancements in antibiotics and vaccines.
    Sheila Jaffe, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In the mountains, snow will continue to fall throughout the day and overnight Saturday, forecasters said.
    Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
  • This past fall, the Bridge Fire burned new patches of the mountains, with flames creeping toward the mountain town of Wrightwood and the ski slopes.
    Andrew Moseman, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near elevation

Cite this Entry

“Elevation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elevation. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on elevation

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