TALL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

tall

adjective

ˈtȯl

Definition of tall

as in high

extending to a great distance upward tall skyscrapers that cast long shadows over the park

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort that's a pretty tall order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 At 14,163 feet, Mount Shasta is the fifth-tallest peak in the Golden State, and the eponymous town just nine miles away makes for a great mountain escape. — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026 The vast majority of these launches have involved the 59-foot-tall (18-meter-tall) Electron, which gives small satellites dedicated rides to orbit. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 1 July 2026 The creation of the Miami 21 code was motivated in part by a public outcry over a problem fostered by the previous code — tall towers being built directly next to single-family homes or duplexes. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 The Empire State Building, now the sixth-tallest building in the United States and the fourth-tallest in New York City, remains iconic in movies, art, and architecture. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall

Adjective

Fujimori’s presidency marks a return of her family’s political brand to Peru’s highest office — a movement that has long carried a complicated relationship with the United States.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
The federal government and states have begun investigating pricing strategies that companies report have led to higher profits.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

Sarah Buck, Chicago Driving has become harder The rapid increase in bike lanes has made driving much more difficult and tedious, with numerous delays due to many streets being reduced to one lane in busy areas.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Republican strategists have welcomed those nominations as an opening for attack in a difficult election year.

— Susan Page, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Crafted by Iasia Merriweather, this towering look is a paragon of precision.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 29 June 2026
Deep in the 531,148-acre Nantahala National Forest stands a towering and twisted hemlock that appears to be dead, but is very much alive on the inside with a colony of bats.

— Mark Price June 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2026

Definition of towering

Adjective

MacDonald agrees that some of Kiros' positions could put Democratic candidates in a tough spot.

— Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 2 July 2026
The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Not long afterward, he was elected president on a platform deeply hostile to the West and its liberal ideology, and especially to the United States — threatening a hard fight in the event of war.

— Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
That’s hard to imagine of a president who uses the office to promote and prosper from his own brand name.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

England faces a formidable challenge against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup knockout round, playing at Estadio Azteca, 7,220 feet above sea level.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
However, there is arguably no matchup currently more daunting than a game against this formidable France side.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of formidable

Adjective

Every cybersecurity article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.

— Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
This improves both customer and agent experience, while still meeting rigorous business standards around accuracy, reliability, and risk management.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of rigorous

Browse Nearby Words

talky

tall

tallied

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tall. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tall

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on tall

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes