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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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 lofty But one specific triple-seven just touched down at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia with a much loftier career path ahead. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026 CEOs and workers alike struggle with intense pressure from unmanageable workloads, mounting job responsibilities, and lofty business expectations. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 Painting it onto eight lofty silos is another. John Lauritsen, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 The percussion does a lot of the heavy lifting, as Skye’s lofty falsetto is paired with slinky tambourines and a pounding kick drum. Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lofty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lofty
Adjective
  • In fact, Bethea said Stokes — who chose KU over Kentucky and Oregon — projects to be a tall guard in college.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Their eight-tier, 3-foot-tall fruitcake was so large that a door had to be removed to fit it into the palace's Picture Gallery.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The series has devolved into a hysteria that the young and arrogant Timberwolves feed on since that first quarter of Game 2.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
  • However, many thought Tilson Thomas too brash and arrogant to lead an orchestra, and, around the same time, Tilson Thomas fell in with New York’s disco-hopping crowd.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The proud Westeros family of dragonlords have always been intent on making things bend to their (fair-haired, dragon-loving) will, even when the chips were down.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Gordon Ramsay is one proud dad as daughter Tilly Ramsay completes the TCS London Marathon on April 26 in London.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The people behind Fire in the Mountains have teamed with the Firekeeper Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention and mental wellness for the Blackfeet Nation community, making the festival’s raison d’être feel more noble than your standard summer shindig.
    David Harris, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
  • That’s the noble and righteous and the principled path sports should walk.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • For a people known through their craftsmanship rather than their words, the return of the golden helmet of Coțofenești means one of the most eloquent objects the Dacians ever made can continue to speak on their behalf.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The music is often spare but as eloquent, richly nuanced and filled with unexpected twists and turns as Mitchell’s peerless singing and lyrics.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • His elite pass protection and calm feet mean he can be trusted immediately to keep the quarterback clean on passing downs, while also providing a high-effort presence on special teams.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Cameras now deploy ever higher frame rates, as seen in the uncanny sheen of blockbusters by James Cameron and Peter Jackson, and films are shot, shown, and restored on ever higher resolutions (4K, 8K, and beyond).
    Dennis Lim, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Nolah Evolution Comfort+ is your solution, as its superior foam, edge support and pressure relief are designed for heavier sleepers.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
  • John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan know that having two solid contributors on cheap deals is vastly superior to having one overpriced guy who is statistically no better than the field.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After Marcus’s ground ball, everybody took great at-bats.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Cherry blossoms great guests at the front foyer.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lofty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lofty. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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