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 In just a few years, the shrubs can grow to be as tall as a person, covering the entirety of an area, Young said. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 The Braves have a tall task in the National League Division Series, facing the Dodgers, who are looking for their third consecutive World Series title. — AJC.com, 3 Oct. 2026 In Proserpina, eleven vertical yellow wooden rods, enrobed in layers of gray and maroon wire netting, increase in length around a wire-mesh spiral that reaches three feet at its tallest point. — Nicole Rudick, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026 Tousle-haired, rosy-cheeked and 10 inches tall, Topo Gigio was remarkably lifelike — equipped with a moving mouth and blinking eyes. — Kaja Andric, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tall

Adjective

Korean star Han Ji-min accepted The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at a glitzy gala high above Busan on Wednesday night, promising that her creative journey was only just beginning.

— Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
That is a level higher than on other subjects such as fertility, at 54 percent, and menopause, at 48 percent.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus, also known as contact tracing, has proved difficult in Congo.

— CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
McKinsey’s data says some of those moves can be difficult for certain workers.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Satellites now show that region unusually dry and cloud-free, while towering storms have moved to the central and eastern Pacific, over the warmest water.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
In Namibia, the Skeleton Coast stretches along the Atlantic, where towering dunes meet the ocean.

— Liz Wheeler, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of towering

Adjective

Until now, scientists could measure the total phosphorus preserved in ancient rocks, but determining the share that was actually available to marine life remained challenging.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Alas, its path appears quite challenging, given that Digger earned a C+ CinemaScore from audiences and holds a 51 percent approval from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Now, Germino says her social media presence is all about giving other patients going through the same tough decision an example of someone who’s thriving after the procedure.

— Kara McGrath, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.

— Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Guests lingered over cocktails, lauding Ghesquière’s formidable creative prowess, personal warmth and loyalty.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
Let a Hundred Websites Bloom The Internet and the smartphone have become formidable tools for the Chinese government to maintain tight control over society.

— Conor Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of formidable

Adjective

The list takes months to compile, with multiple steps and checks designed to ensure the ranking is rigorous and consistent.

— Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
With rigorous reporting and more than 150 interviews with those working for the US’ most influential AI companies, technology journalist Roose covers Silicon Valley’s breakneck race to build artificial general intelligence.

— Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 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

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes