1
as in tall
extending to a great distance upward the ever-increasing lofty heights of the world's skyscrapers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude she acts all lofty and superior just because she went to an Ivy League college

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lofty contrast with its synonyms?

The words high and tall are common synonyms of lofty. While all three words mean "above the average in height," lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

When might high be a better fit than lofty?

The meanings of high and lofty largely overlap; however, 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 can tall be used instead of lofty?

Although the words tall and lofty have much in common, tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.

a tall thin man

Examples 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 lofty My popovers rose to lofty heights, everyone was well-fed, and our traditions were safely in my care. Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 1 Nov. 2024 The higher the number the warmer and loftier the covers. Marni Jameson, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024 Carlson’s brand of nationalism plays on a range of desires, from the lowest to the loftiest: the yearning for communal cohesion, for satisfying work, for a life rich with meaning. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 The higher the number, the warmer and loftier the covers. Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lofty 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lofty
Adjective
  • The six-and-a-half-foot tall sculpture, which had a guarantee and irrevocable bids, blew past its low estimate of $5 million, hammering at $9.8 million and ultimately selling for $11.4 million with fees.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Nov. 2024
  • And although he was usually cast as a heavy, Sorvino — a tall, burly gentleman with a big personality — excels in the wholesome role.
    Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Nobody wants to be around an arrogant or disrespectful individual, in the workplace or in day-to-day life.
    AllBusiness, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • So Far Trump in fact as played by Stan is a mix of charming and shy, troubled and insecure, arrogant and angry, a creative dealmaker with vision, narcissitic, cruel, self-serving, at times grief stricken.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Leading On & Off The Court Napheesa Collier is both a basketball star and a proud mom to her daughter.
    Caroline Fitzgerald, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Clearly proud of such an achievement, Ferrari designed the 360’s engine lid to feature a pane of glass that allows the engine to constantly be on display.
    Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • For all of these juristic innovations, the warrants also represent something entirely familiar: an international institution, created to serve high and noble purposes, succumbing to the temptation of pursuing an anti-Israel agenda.
    Eugene Kontorovich, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024
  • That’s noble, and about the best thing a legitimate leader can do.
    Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • An unusually eloquent waiter—an aspiring actor—took our order and returned with the plates: pork shoulder for Graham, a hockey-puck-size fish cake with anchovy sauce for me.
    Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
  • In a lengthy and eloquent letter, Laura set down her husband’s final hours.
    Paul Lindholdt, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Another edition went for $5.7 million on a $6 million high estimate at Christie’s New York in 2009.
    Brian Boucher for ArtNews, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Howard crushed it, setting a high bar, but Doechii was ready to respond.
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • As haughty, naughty Nurse Redd on FX‘s Grotesquerie, Lesley Manville turned in one of the most memorable performances of the TV season.
    Andy Swift, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024
  • This information doesn’t make the prospect of leaving her home painless, but Ruth approaches it with a haughty dignity that soon becomes familiar.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • The time to act is now – before the cost of inaction becomes too great to bear.
    Matthew Emma, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
  • Early regulation of the still emerging AI industry is likely to make the wrong calls precisely because the unknowns about the industry are greater than the knowns.
    Clark D. Asay, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near lofty

Cite this Entry

“Lofty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lofty. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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