Synonyms of towernext
1
: a building or structure typically higher than its diameter and high relative to its surroundings that may stand apart (such as a campanile) or be attached (such as a church belfry) to a larger structure and that may be fully walled in or of skeleton framework (such as an observation or transmission tower)
2
: a towering citadel : fortress
3
: one that provides support or protection : bulwark
a tower of strength
4
: a personal computer case that stands in an upright position

tower

2 of 2

verb

towered; towering; towers

intransitive verb

1
: to reach or rise to a great height
2
: to exhibit superior qualities : surpass
her intellect towered over the others'

Examples of tower in a Sentence

Noun a hill from which one can gaze upon the towers of that great and historic city Verb that actor's performance towered over all others in the film
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
For example, in 2024, SpaceX guided the Super Heavy rocket booster to a safe landing in the giant metal arms of its launch tower, marking a crucial step forward in the company’s efforts to recover and refly every piece of the rocket. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 On the tower, located on the Manhattan side of the bridge, police found a Kazakhstan flag, along with a blanket and bathrobe that had writing on them, officials said. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
Contractors are also putting the finishing touches on a towering testing and fueling facility. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 The area is charming, with the houses themselves a mishmash of shapes of colors—miniature, red roof dwellings decorated with wooden panels are piled next to slim, towering town houses embellished with sweeping bay windows. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tower

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tour, tor, from Old English torr & Anglo-French tur, tour, both from Latin turris, from Greek tyrris, tyrsis

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tower was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tower. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: a tall narrow building or structure that may stand by itself or be attached to a larger structure
2

tower

2 of 2 verb
: to reach or rise to a great height

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