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
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.
Noun
Shares of cell tower owners Crown Castle and American Tower rose about 10% and 3%, respectively. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 The Club, a 43-story tower classified as a multi-family residential condo, does not have a Certificate of Use to run as a condo-hotel, an omission first revealed by the Miami Herald. — Linda Robertson updated October 22, Miami Herald, 22 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 27 Oct. 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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