ALTITUDE Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

altitude

noun

ˈal-tə-ˌtüd

Definition of altitude

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

Relevance

as in hill

usually altitudes plural an area of high ground the air is thinner at higher altitudes

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

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 altitude El Niño weakens the tropical trade winds, influencing the jet stream — the high-altitude river of air that helps steer storms, fronts, and areas of high and low pressure across the country. — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The altitude offers incredible vistas of the wetlands that border the Tanana River, one of the largest tributaries of the mighty Yukon. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 The current itinerary for the trip is ambitious and the longest of his papacy to date, calling for Leo to clock just over 19,000 miles on a dozen flights and two helicopter rides, and a significant altitude change in Peru. — Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026 This approach supports rapid updates to target tracks, an important capability when monitoring multiple aerial threats that may be moving at different speeds and altitudes. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for altitude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for altitude

Noun

Portions of southwest Colorado and southeast Utah saw two to four inches, whereas areas with higher elevations, like the San Juan Mountains, got up to six inches.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Climate change is also shifting suitable oyamel habitats to higher elevations, threatening populations on lower mountains that may eventually lack the conditions needed to support the trees.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of elevation

Noun

On a slight hill, wooden bench swings hover over the ground, overlooking many of the park’s trails.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Just a half-hour north of San Diego, the property is comprised of over 600 acres of hills, meadows, Japanese gardens, and citrus groves, including 30 miles of private hiking trails and five acres of bio-intensive gardens.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of hill

Noun

The fifth-rounder from Texas permitted a TD catch by Jets 6-5 tight end Mason Taylor, who had a five-inch height advantage, but that was the only completion against him.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
SpaceX is shooting for new heights with its upcoming Starship test flight, and the booster tapped for the mission is in its final stretch of preparations before the mission.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of height

Browse Nearby Words

altiplanos

altitude

altitudes

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Altitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altitude. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of altitude

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