high 1 of 3

adjective

ˈhī How to pronounce high (audio)
Definition of highnext
1
as in tall
extending to a great distance upward as the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest is mountaineering's holy grail

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2
as in increased
being at a higher level than average gasoline prices are high right now a high fever people with high incomes

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3
as in elevated
located at a greater height than average or usual an eagle's nest high on the cliff an old house with high ceilings

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4
as in higher
being far along in development a cabal of self-proclaimed Luddites who argued that the evils of high technology far outweighed its virtues

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5
as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol not only has he never been high, he has never even tasted alcohol

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6
as in expensive
commanding a large price the concert tickets weren't cheap—you don't even want to know how high they were

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7
as in great
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature she had the highest intentions, but her "help" turned out to be a disaster

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8
as in top
highest in rank or authority high government officials lord high executioner

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9
as in ripped
being under the influence of a recreational drug he's clean now, but when he was younger he used to get high every day

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high

2 of 3

noun

1
as in ecstasy
a state of overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion it took days for the high of the World Series win to wear off

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2
as in sky
the expanse of air surrounding the earth V formations of honking geese on high mean winter will soon be here

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high

3 of 3

adverb

as in large
in a luxurious manner after he had won the lottery Philip lived pretty high—until all the money was gone

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective high contrast with its synonyms?

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

In what contexts can lofty take the place of high?

Although the words lofty and high have much in common, lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

When might tall be a better fit than high?

The words tall and high can be used in similar contexts, but 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 high
Adjective
For example, a study of Nurses in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, showed that gratitude was found to be a consistent predictor of less exhaustion, less cynicism, more proactive behaviors, higher levels of job satisfaction, and fewer absences due to illness. — Stephen Diorio, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 The average ticket price remains high at $338.83, and the play continues to fill the Barrymore Theatre at 100 percent capacity. — Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey, released Friday, showed the highest percentage of Americans expecting unemployment to rise since the Great Recession as inflation expectations hit 32-year highs. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025 Publicly reported fire incidents at waste and recycling facilities also hit 398, a new high since Fire Rover began compiling its report eight years ago, when that number was closer to 275. — Kevin Purdy, ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
Adverb
An employee presented me with a hook that looked like something stolen from Little Bo-Peep, but no—the long wooden pole with a metal hook on the end was used to fetch hangers high up on a wall. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025 Snapping the puck around up high with Hughes and Pettersson, Lekkerimäki helped engineer Boeser’s critical second-period power-play goal and looked composed and sharp while doing it. — Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for high
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high
  1. tall
  2. increased
  3. elevated
  4. drunk
  5. expensive
  6. great
  7. top
  8. ripped
Adjective
  • Plus the plants are more compact, growing 3-4 feet tall.
    — Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Avoid tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of tall
Adjective
  • The cars in the NASCAR Cup Series keep running closer together, but the increased competitiveness hasn’t slowed down the drivers of Hendrick Motorsports.
    — Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Participants with dysmorphic concerns were more likely to have a greater focus on themselves during a Zoom call and increased appearance concerns.
    — Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of increased
Adjective
  • The Menu At The Cocktail Lounge Within that setting, chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley, formerly the Corporate Executive Chef for STARR Restaurants, is turning out stellar, elevated versions of American classics.
    — Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Its pleated fabric and modest silhouette give it an elevated look, though it can still be dressed down for daytime wear.
    — Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of elevated
Adjective
  • Stephen O’Connell, a 38-year-old Boston police officer, is accused of driving drunk when his vehicle slammed into an unmarked Boston police cruiser just after 12 a.m. April 1 on a road in Weymouth, Massachusetts State Police said in an April 2 news release shared with McClatchy News.
    — Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Prosecutors said Beltram, after his second DUI conviction, participated in a Mothers Against Drunk Driving class and signed an additional advisement warning him of a potential murder charge for driving drunk and causing someone’s death.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of drunk
Adjective
  • The Charlotte Observer found that all of CLT Airport’s parking lots are more expensive than all but one of the off-airport sites.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Adapting homes and infrastructure to coastal flooding is not just expensive, but will have limitations.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of expensive
Adjective
  • Temu and Shein have taken steps to grow their operations in the U.S. as the de minimis loophole has come under greater scrutiny.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
  • This assignment begins with secondary and higher educational institutions taking greater strides to enrich offerings civics instruction.
    — Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder have already locked down the top Western Conference playoff seed, but the draft is still something the franchise is looking ahead to.
    — Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Universal Music Group was the only California company to land on Forbes’ list of the top 10 midsize employers in the nation, although a total of three California universities earned spots in the top 20.
    — Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of top
Adjective
  • Hal and Whitney would sit around the living room on the ripped couch and talk about sailing the world.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Luckily, Frank Grillo plays a ripped scientist who is close to a cure, but also has to worry about keeping his family safe during yet another supermoon.
    — William Earl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of ripped

Phrases Containing high

Browse Nearby Words

higgledy-piggledy
high
high and dry
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Cite this Entry

“High.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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