ALTITUDE Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'altitude' contrast with its synonyms?

The words elevation and height are common synonyms of altitude . While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land. // fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters // Denver is a city with a high elevation

Q: When is 'height' a more appropriate choice than 'altitude'?

In some situations, the words height and altitude are roughly equivalent. However, height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low. // a wall two meters in height

altitude

noun

ˈal-tə-ˌtüd

Definition of altitude next

as in elevation

the distance of something or someone from bottom to top the altitude of the highest mountain in the U.S. is only about two thirds that of the highest mountain in the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in hill

usually altitudes plural an area of high ground the air is thinner at higher altitudes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun altitude contrast with its synonyms?

The words elevation and height are common synonyms of altitude. While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land.

fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters

Denver is a city with a high elevation

When is height a more appropriate choice than altitude?

In some situations, the words height and altitude are roughly equivalent. However, height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

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 altitude The maximum altitude for a helicopter to fly in the area is 200 feet. —

Taylor Fishman, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2025 But while the investigation into the crash has only just begun, President Donald Trump has publicly blamed the helicopter for flying at too high an altitude. —

Lolita C. Baldor, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 Both President Donald Trump and the nation’s defense secretary raised the issue of altitude on Friday morning. —

Pete Muntean, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025 The plane reached an altitude of about 1,600 feet during its first descent, FlightAware shows. —

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for altitude

Recent Examples of Synonyms for altitude

Noun

The incident happened near the Scott chairlift, which takes patrons to the Scott Peak with an elevation of 8,289 feet.

— Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Feb. 2025
Sai Yok rock geckos live on karst rock formations in a forest at an elevation of about 1,300 feet, the study said.

— Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025