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

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 That’s not an especially lofty placement, but the fact that the song is even charting is worth pointing out. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Systemic issues While the fate of India’s PLI scheme appears uncertain at this juncture, the issues the country faces in realizing its lofty ambitions need a deeper look. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025 That’s a lofty placement for a cut that’s been available for more than a year. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Unable to meet the impossibly lofty standard Donovan left behind, White ultimately departed for Georgia. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lofty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lofty
Adjective
  • The suspect was described as a man about 6 feet tall who had his face covered.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Tucker is 6 feet tall, the average height of newborn calves after birth.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.
    Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Mike is a native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the proud home of Steelers training camp, and graduated from American University in Washington, D.C.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Mizrahi - What was the proudest moment of your career?
    Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Even those with noble intentions, like Boromir, who dream of wielding it to protect their people, fail to grasp its truth.
    Jon Fleischman, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Bonhoeffer’s understanding of conscience inspires heroic action: People really can do the most dangerous and noble things — a good reminder in our low, dishonest times.
    David DeCosse, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • One of America’s greatest love stories can be understood through more than 1,000 eloquent letters that were sent between John and Abigail Adams – foundational figures in our nation’s early years – over the course of more than half a century.
    Jackie Cushman, Boston Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
  • They’re aided throughout by Bryce Dessner’s string score and eloquent, salt-of-the-earth narration from Will Patton (who also recorded the audiobook, repeating choice lines of Johnson’s at key moments here).
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • From the foyer, an ethanol fireplace encased in slabs of polished stone anchors a lounge beneath ceilings over 10 feet high.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Some products, though, could face duties higher than 145 percent.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Schwarzenegger stars as the haughty, sleazy eldest son of a wealthy family whose patriarch and matriarch are portrayed by Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey, respectively.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Though Saturday Night excoriates Chase as a haughty frat-adjacent character and the actor’s reputation as being difficult to work with precedes him, an early writer paints a more humble picture.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the Canadians are doing less, which forces the U.S. to take on a greater share of the responsibility.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Development and learning Playing with car seat toys is a great way for babies to learn.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lofty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lofty. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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