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
tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.
He set lofty goals for himself as a teacher. She showed a lofty disregard for their objections.
Recent Examples on the WebRiley setting a goal of 100 tackles is lofty but not unrealistic. Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 5 Sep. 2022 Florial, 24, the Yankees’ No. 15 prospect, has yet to live up to the lofty expectations previously set for him.New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Bolstered by transfers Sarah Franklin (Michigan State) and Christina Crawford (Kansas State), the Badgers have a chance to meet the lofty expectations placed upon them. Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2022 For a team that’s never won the Super Bowl and last won an NFL Championship in 1947, those are some lofty expectations. Bob Mcmanaman, The Arizona Republic, 1 Aug. 2022 Garrett’s confidence in the defense is the major reason his lofty expectations this season won’t change regardless of how long Deshaun Watson is suspended. Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, 28 July 2022 Edwards, the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League's reigning Player of the Year, heads into his senior season at Imhotep Institute with lofty expectations.The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2022 Stratospheric tech company stock prices reflected lofty expectations that those firms would make oodles of money way into the future. Mark Zandi For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, 20 July 2022 The strong performance was at the lower end of lofty expectations domestically, with box office forecasters predicting a $140-million to $160-million opening heading into the weekend.Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2022 See More