Synonyms of towernext
1
: a building or structure typically higher than its diameter and high relative to its surroundings that may stand apart (such as a campanile) or be attached (such as a church belfry) to a larger structure and that may be fully walled in or of skeleton framework (such as an observation or transmission tower)
2
: a towering citadel : fortress
3
: one that provides support or protection : bulwark
a tower of strength
4
: a personal computer case that stands in an upright position

tower

2 of 2

verb

towered; towering; towers

intransitive verb

1
: to reach or rise to a great height
2
: to exhibit superior qualities : surpass
her intellect towered over the others'

Examples of tower in a Sentence

Noun a hill from which one can gaze upon the towers of that great and historic city Verb that actor's performance towered over all others in the film
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Mann doubles as a filmmaker, directing movies including Fall, the 2022 thriller about two friends who get stuck up a 2,000-foot radio tower in the desert. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026 But much, if not all, of that reserve could be used to pay for losses stemming from the January 2025 Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County that was caused by an out of service Southern California Edison tower. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
The now-rare footwear silhouette features a dramatic peep-toe design, towering platforms, and the French shoe designer’s crisscross straps. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Featuring towering stone columns, colorful reliefs (despite being 3,200 years old) and famous carvings, it's bypassed by tour buses heading straight for Hatshepsut. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tower

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tour, tor, from Old English torr & Anglo-French tur, tour, both from Latin turris, from Greek tyrris, tyrsis

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tower was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tower. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: a tall narrow building or structure that may stand by itself or be attached to a larger structure
2

tower

2 of 2 verb
: to reach or rise to a great height

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