lofty

adjective

ˈlȯf-tē How to pronounce lofty (audio)
Definition of loftynext
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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3
as in proud
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself his lofty attitude toward menial chores really rankles the other camp counselors

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4
as in noble
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature remained true to the cause's lofty ideals, regardless of the changing winds of popular opinion

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5
as in eloquent
very dignified in form, tone, or style the lofty nature of the coronation ceremony

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Unable to meet the impossibly lofty standard Donovan left behind, White ultimately departed for Georgia. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 But what the 22-time Grand Slam tennis champion was seen doing around the new ZEL Punta Cana, the lifestyle hotel brand under the Meliá Hotels International umbrella, was impressive even by his lofty standards. — Demarco Williams, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 Taiwanese cinema has lofty global ambitions, as evidenced by the deployment of the country’s biggest stars and the presentation of international co-production plans at Hong Kong Filmart this week. — Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025 Brandishing their highest seeding in the league tournament since their debut in 2015, the No. 2 seed Terps lived up to the weight of lofty expectations and thoroughly dumped No. 7 seed Illinois, 88-65, in a quarterfinal Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lofty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lofty
  1. tall
  2. arrogant
  3. proud
  4. noble
  5. eloquent
  6. high
  7. haughty
  8. great
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
Definition of tall
Adjective
  • In a world where deal flow is crucial, being labeled as an arrogant VC results in missing out on prime opportunities.
    — David Nour, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The arrogant anti-union stance did not start with the current CEO; even the legendary Studs Terkel was slapped down by WFMT management for his earlier support of an effort to unionize in 1990.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Hosted by actor & advocate Jonah Platt, a trusted expert in contemporary Jewish culture, identity, and politics, Being Jewish seeks to engage, educate, and empower listeners to take full ownership of their identities and live as their proudest, most authentic selves.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • Because our first priority will be to respect the heritage of a race that’s almost two centuries old, a competition that brings together amateurs in the noblest sense — students of Oxford and Cambridge — and a level of professionalism and excellence that is worthy of the Olympic Games.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The story centers on Krem of the Yellow Hills, who kills an alien girl’s father, prompting her and Supergirl, accompanied by the noble Knolle, to embark on a pursuit for justice.
    — Robert Lang, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of noble
Adjective
  • Many northern journalists and editorial boards cast civil rights protests in their own cities as dangerous and extreme, even when it was called out in the eloquent tones of Martin Luther King Jr. himself.
    — Made by History, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Charles Kenny, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, has been an eloquent exponent of this general view.
    — Dylan Matthews, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of eloquent
Adjective
  • This is the highest three-day intensity of the year.
    — Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Another video posted from a high angle showed a large plume of smoke coming from the house and filling the air.
    — Escher Walcott, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of high
Adjective
  • The newcomers to their abode are Jerry, a hunky Mormon flight attendant (Bomer), and Arthur, a haughty fashion doyen recently fired from Vogue (Graham).
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Just when things are looking up — a haughty British couple leaves this daughter of Oxfordshire a handsome tip — the dinner pervert turns up for his morning coffee.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of haughty
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of great

Browse Nearby Words

lofts
lofty
log
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Cite this Entry

“Lofty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lofty. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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