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 There’s a steep fee to climb Mount Everest Nepal will increase the permit fees for climbing Mount Everest by more than 35% to $15,000, making the world’s tallest peak more expensive for mountaineers for the first time in nearly a decade. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 Drive through your heels to stand and squeeze your glutes at the top for 1 rep. Kneeling Leg Extension Katie Thompson Get into a kneeling position with your knees hip-distance apart, torso tall, core and legs engaged, and hands on your hips. Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 14 Jan. 2025 At the moment, Ascent is the tallest mass-timber structure in the world, beating out Mjøstårnet in Brumunddal, Norway, which opened to great acclaim in 2020. Ashley Gardini, JSTOR Daily, 14 Jan. 2025 But Sasaki healed and grew into a tall, rail-thin teenage sensation as a high schooler. Stephen J. Nesbitt, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tall 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall
Adjective
  • In 2018, a live wire broke free from a 100-year-old transmission tower in high winds and sparked the Camp fire, which killed scores of people and destroyed the town of Paradise in Northern California.
    Ivan Penn, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Dominant as the changeup is, Kahnle’s reliance on getting hitters to chase the pitch may be part of the reason his walk rates of 10.6 percent and 11.5 percent have been higher than average in each of the past two seasons.
    Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • An aviation expert, along with the Army pilot, tells PEOPLE that Reagan National Airport can be especially difficult to fly into.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025
  • With Vandersloot secured, the Sky face a difficult decision: Will their backcourt benefit more from drafting a guard or adding another high-caliber veteran?
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Better yet, head to the east side of the park to Two Medicine Valley, which is full of trails leading to ice-blue backcountry lakes and towering peaks.
    Graham Averill, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2025
  • In past years, Quiroz has made towering displays with seven distinct levels.
    Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Adjective
  • While the victory was routine, their goalkeeping situation and transfer dealings are more challenging.
    Emile Nuh, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • At the same time, a historic shortage of veterinarians means the work of caring for our pets is more challenging than ever.
    Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Bridges finished with 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting from the field against his old team, and Anunoby scored 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field to go with tough defense on Johnson, who shot an abysmal 6-of-20 from the field for 16 points.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Whether you’re drawn to stories of resilience, advocacy, or how laughter and love can help us through life’s toughest moments, this film will leave you inspired and hopeful.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.
    Alia Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Despite this, in 1980, in a turning point that helped give rise to the formidable power of the New Right, Reagan continued to lean heavily on the Panama issue in his successful campaign against Carter.
    Julie Greene / Made by History, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
  • When Judkins’ 70-yard run set up his 1-yard scoring run for a 28-7 lead, Leonard and the Fighting Irish faced a formidable deficit that couldn’t be addressed on more quarterback keepers.
    Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Like many large employers, the agency proactively seeks qualified candidates from as many sources as possible, all of whom must meet rigorous qualifications that of course will vary by position.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • These suppliers undergo rigorous vetting processes and must meet safety standards to prevent potential hazards.
    Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near tall

Cite this Entry

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

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